US Open: Seeds continue falling as Draper upsets Hurkacz

Jack Draper defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 and will play the winner of the match between Michael Mmoh and John Isner in the next round

Tennis Majors

August 31, 2023

US Open •Second round • completed

See draw

J. DrapervsH. Hurkacz

Jack Draper moved into the third round of the US Open by winning against Pole Hubert Hurkacz, the No 17 seed, 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 in New York on Thursday afternoon.

The win is only the fourth time this season that Draper has won back-to-back matches, and first since Lyon in May, with the Brit struggling to stay injury-free as he retired in Winston-Salem last week.

However, the 21-year-old played at a high level against a weary Hurkacz, who came into this second round encounter having comeback from 0-2 sets down in his opening match against Switzerland’s Marc-Andrea Huesler (4-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-1).

“Really happy with the way I came out today again and with the tennis I played” – Draper

Across the match, Draper did an excellent job of generating break points against the big-serving No 17 seed, capitalising on six of 11 opportunities. Hurkacz sprayed an uncharacteristic number of unforced errors, making 49 for the match – more than double as many as his opponent.

“I thought I, you know, improved on last match again. Obviously top-20 opponent, someone I have had two battles with in the past. I knew it was going to be a really tough match, someone who’s established himself as a top player.,” Draper said after the win. “So, really happy with the way I came out today again and with the tennis I played.”

Draper, who has struggled in recent months with physical injuries, said he is trying to focus on his matches and not focus on his physical issues. “I feel physically good. I haven’t had match exposure for a long time, so I’m still sort of managing my body. 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 obviously playing the US Open, so, you know, just put it out of my mind and go out and try my best to play the tennis I want to.”

Up next, Draper, ranked No 123, faces a potentially cracking match up against the retiring John Isner, should the veteran manage to defeat wildcard Michael Mmoh. Draper beat Radu Albot (6-1, 6-4, 6-3) ahead of his victory.