US Open 2024: Jack Draper sails through to third round in straight sets
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Jack Draper cruised his way into the US Open third round on Thursday evening – knocking out world No.64 Facundo Diaz Acosta in straight sets.
The British No.1 broke the Argentinian five times to claim a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 win in two hours and seven minutes.
“I felt really good coming into this tournament,” Draper explained to Sky Sports after the match. “My first round started off really well but obviously the guy got injured and it was a bit of a non-match – I hope he recovers.
“I didn’t know what to expect as the other day I didn’t really get enough court time.
“Today I thought my tennis was in a really good place. I felt a little bit flat at the start and as tennis players we don’t always wake up feeling amazing so I had to try and get myself going.
“My serve got me out of trouble a lot and hopefully I can keep on building from this performance.”
Draper is still yet to lose a set this tournament or even suffer a break of serve with another impressive display against the Argentinian.
He lost just four points on his first serve throughout the whole match and commanded the rallies right from the first ball of the match.
The 25th seed moves into the third round for a third straight year, where he will play the winner of world No.3 Carlos Alcaraz against Botic Van De Zandschlup.
Draper beat Alacaraz this summer at the cinch Championships, becoming the only player to beat him on grass over the last two seasons – which should give him plenty of confidence ahead of a potential clash on Saturday.
“I’ve played him a couple of times on the hard court and it is a different ball game,” he said.
“I was obviously proud of my performance there (cinch Championships), he hasn’t lost to anyone else on the grass in the last couple of years so I must have done something right, but I would expect a very different Carlos Alcaraz to the one I played at Queen’s. I’m looking forward to that battle and let’s see how it goes.”
“This is the Grand Slam I’ve had my best results at so far – I think first year was third round, last year fourth and then third again this year so there’s definitely something about the conditions here that really suit my game.
“If I keep on improving the way I am, there’s no reason I can’t do really well here.”
Elsewhere it was defeat for fellow British No.1 Katie Boulter, who despite leading 4-2 in the opening set, lost to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 7-5, 7-5 in an hour and 46 minutes.
