Draper into first Grand Slam semifinal at U.S. Open; Sinner advances and Swiatek ousted

Jack Draper reached his maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the U.S. Open on Wednesday, becoming the first British man to make the last four since Andy Murray won the title 12 years ago.

Draper, the world number 25, defeated 10th-ranked Alex de Minaur of Australia 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 and goes on to face top seed Jannik Sinner for a place in Sunday's final.

The 22-year-old left hander pulled off victory despite taking a medical timeout early in the second set to have his right thigh bandaged.

"It's amazing. My first time on Arthur Ashe Stadium, it means the world to me," said Draper, who had lost three times in three meetings with De Minaur before Wednesday.

"I played a solid match and I feel the best fitness-wise that I have felt in a long time. Maybe Alex had a little physical issue but he's an amazing fighter."

Draper has made the semifinals without dropping a set as he continued an impressive summer run which saw him capture his first ATP title in Stuttgart and then defeat Carlos Alcaraz at Queen's Club on the eve of Wimbledon.

On Wednesday, he demonstrated resilience to take the opening set on a sixth set point.

He exchanged breaks with De Minaur in the second set before gaining the vital edge for a 6-5 lead and then marched to victory on the back of a double break in the third.

Draper was rewarded for his all-out attack, forcing De Minaur to fend off 14 of 20 break points he faced although the Australian appeared to aggravate his recent hip problem at one stage.

Draper sent down 11 aces in his 40 winners.

World number one Sinner reached his first U.S. Open semifinal with a four-set victory over 2021 champion and two-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev.

Sinner, looking to capture his second major of the season after the Australian Open, won 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 .

Sinner, 23, is the only top-10 player to make the semifinals with number 12 Taylor Fritz due to face U.S .compatriot Frances Tiafoe, ranked 20, in Friday's other last-four duel.

Italy's Sinner had defeated Medvedev from two sets down to claim the Australian Open title before the Russian gained revenge in another five-setter at Wimbledon.

"It was very tough, I knew it would be very physical," said Sinner. "It was strange in the first two sets, whoever got the break started to roll."

Sinner said he was looking forward to facing Draper.

"We are good friends off the court. He's having an incredible tournament and hasn't dropped a set."

In women's action, world number one Iga Swiatek was sent crashing out by Jessica Pegula who moved into her first Grand Slam semifinal.

Sixth-ranked Pegula triumphed 6-2, 6-4 and will face Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic for a place in Saturday's final.

If the 30-year-old gets through that she could set-up an all-American final if Emma Navarro stuns world number two Aryna Sabalenka in Thursday's other semifinal.

Victory ended Pegula's run of losing all six Grand Slam quarter-finals in which she had played and extended her streak to 14 wins in 15 matches on U.S. hard courts this summer.

"Finally I can say I'm a semifinalist. I lost so many of these damn things," said Pegula after her fourth career win against Swiatek.

Muchova of the Czech Republic reached the semifinals for a second successive year with a straight sets win over Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil.

World number 52 Muchova triumphed 6-1, 6-4.

Her win came despite having to sprint to the bathroom after edging ahead 2-1 in the second set, a dash which caught everyone on the hop.

"It was weird. I had a problem that I wouldn't like to comment on," said the 28-year-old. "Sorry if I disturbed anybody but I really didn't have any other choice."

Muchova has yet to drop a set at the tournament, having knocked out two-time champion Naomi Osaka and French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini on the way to her fourth Grand Slam semifinal.

© 2024 AFP