US Open 2024: Jack Draper vs Alex de Minaur – quarter-final preview, head-to-head & how to watch
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Jack Draper is through to his first Grand Slam quarter-final at this year’s US Open where he’s set to go head-to-head with 10th seed Alex de Minaur.
Here’s everything you need to know about the US Open quarter-final.
When is Jack Draper vs Alex de Minaur?
Draper and De Minaur will face each other on Wednesday 4 September.
View how Draper got on into the US Open semi-final
Jack Draper vs Alex de Minaur head-to-head
Draper and De Minaur have faced each other of three occasions, with the Australian winning all three matches in close battles.
Their first meeting came at Wimbledon in 2022, where the Brit won the opening set before losing out 5-7, 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-3. This was their only previous meeting at a Grand Slam.
De Minaur also claimed a three-set victory in Tokyo last year 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(1) in 2023 and then in their last meeting, Draper was forced to retire at one set all in the semi-final at Acapulco this year.
Jack Draper vs Alex de Minaur journey to the quarter-finals
Here’s a rundown of how Draper and De Minaur have reached the quarter-finals:
|
|
Jack Draper |
Alex de Minaur |
|
Fourth round |
Bt. Tomas Machac (CZE, world No.39) 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 |
Bt. Jordan Thompson (AUS, world No.32) 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 |
|
Third round |
Bt. Botic Van De Zandschlup (NED, world No.74) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 |
Bt. Dan Evans (GBR, world No.178) 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-0, 6-0 |
|
Second round |
Bt. Facundo Diaz Acosta (ARG, world No.64) 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 |
Bt. Otto Virtanen (FIN, world No.125) 7-5, 6-1, 7-6(3) |
|
First round |
Bt. Zhizhen Zhang (CHN, world No.41) 6-3, 6-0, 4-0 (RET) |
Bt. Marcos Giron (USA, world No.46) 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 |
Preview
While both Draper and De Minaur have had varying form coming into Flushing Meadows, both have stood out on the big stage.
The British No.1 made the quarter-finals in Cincinnati but went out in the first round in Montreal and second rounds at the Olympics and Wimbledon. However, the Brit has been on fire at the US Open and has now reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final, becoming only the fifth British man to do so in the Open Era.
Draper continues to build on his most impressive season to date in which he won his first ATP title in Stuttgart, made the final in Adelaide and got his career-best win over former world No.1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Meanwhile, De Minaur has been struggling with injury since Wimbledon, but has now reached the quarter-finals at the last three consecutive Grand Slams – the first Australian to do so since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004-05.
The world No.10 has won two titles this season at Acapulco and s’Hertogenbosch, as well as a final in Rotterdam and carrying Australia to the United Cup semi-finals. In July he reached a career-high world No.6.
Key stats at US Open
Draper is the only player left in the men’s singles draw who hasn’t dropped a set yet at the US Open.
In fact, he’s only had his serve broken once through his opening four matches. Draper has won over 77% points on his first serve across all of his matches, including an impressive 34/38 (89%) against Facundo Diaz Acosta in the second round.
The Brit is also looking to come into the net and taking advantage of his punishing shots from the baseline. In two of his last three matches he has come into the net more than his opponent and has racked up 29 or more winners in each.
De Minaur has lost a set in all but one of his four matches – including a second set tie-break against Draper’s Davis Cup teammate Dan Evans. As a result, the Australian has spent 11 hours and 33 minutes on court so far (over four hours more than Draper).
A huge key to his wins against Jordan Thompson and Otto Virtanen was his unforced error count. In both matches he hit less than 20 while his opponents made over 50 – something Draper will have to keep low if he is to make his first semi-final at a Grand Slam.
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