By Anshu Taneja
Youngster Jack Draper beat Pole Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 to move into the third round for the second year in a row, and potentially plays big-serving American John Isner – who retires after the tournament.
Draper, who has dropped to 123 in the rankings after six months of injuries, came out firing and broke serve in the first game which set the tone for the match. He won 15 of 16 first serve points and was hardly troubled as he broke again to take the first set 6-2.
Draper also took a double-break lead in the second set but was unable to serve out when 5-2 ahead. However, he took his opportunity at the second time of asking and found himself two sets to love up after just 76 minutes against his Polish opponent who appeared to be struggling with a sickness bug and slumped in his chair many times during changeovers.
After calling for the physio, seventeenth seed Hurkacz – who was also two sets to love down in his first-round match – put up a much sterner fight in the third set until 5-5 when Draper converted his 11th breakpoint and served out to love. Draper, who broke into the top 40 in January and waltzed past Radu Albot in the first round, finished with 26 winners and has yet to drop a set in the tournament.
“I thought I improved on the last match,” said Draper who beat Radu Albot in the first round. “I knew it was going to be a really tough match against someone who’s established himself as a top player.’
“I’m really happy with the way I came out today and with the tennis I played.”
The US Open is only the third tournament the Brit has played since June after missing the entire grasscourt swing due to a shoulder injury. He was also forced to retire from his second round match in Winston-Salem last week.
“I feel physically good,” he said of his current fitness. “I haven’t had match exposure for a long time, so I’m still sort of managing my body.’
“I’m still getting a little bit sore. Obviously, it’s a Grand Slam, as well. You have to push your body and know that if you need to go four or five sets, you need to be ready. And I was today. I feel good.”
“With regards to my shoulder, I’m kind of looking after it each day. It was a bit sore after my last match but when the adrenaline kicks in and playing the US Open I just put it out of my mind and go out and try my best to play the tennis I want to.”
Draper is currently playing in only his sixth Grand Slam main draw.
