Jack Draper's impressive run at the US Open came to an end in the fourth round as he faced Andrey Rublev, the eighth seed. Rublev won the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a grueling contest that lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Draper's performance in this tournament marks a significant step forward in his return to professional tennis after recovering from a shoulder injury that kept him out for nearly three months. He also faced the challenge of dealing with a separate shoulder tear just a week before the US Open.
Despite limited match experience and challenging preparation, the 21-year-old British player showcased his talent by competing at a high level and reaching the fourth round. Draper expressed that he gave his best mentally but felt physically drained after the match. He acknowledged the need to continue working on his game and fitness to be more effective against top-ranked players.
Andrey Rublev, while not the most prominent figure in his generation, has consistently performed at a high level, reaching nine grand slam quarter-finals in his career, with three this year alone. He will aim to reach his first major semi-final in this tournament.
In the match against Rublev, Draper initially struggled with his string tension and the electronic service "let" system, which he believed called numerous lets incorrectly. However, he found his rhythm in the second set, playing authoritative tennis and breaking Rublev to take the set.
Despite taking an early break in the third set, Draper faced Rublev's relentless aggression and physical play, which ultimately wore him down as the match progressed.
Despite the defeat, Draper is leaving the tournament encouraged by his performance and hopeful for the future. He plans to focus on looking after his body and aims to end the year strong, believing that he can become one of the top players in the world if he stays fit and continues to improve.
Draper's journey at the US Open served as a reminder of his talent and potential, with physical issues being his main obstacle to competing consistently at the highest level.