US Open: Rublev knocks out last Brit standing Draper to reach the quarter-finals

Andrey Rublev is into the fourth US Open quarter-final of his career after defeating Jack Draper 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

It will be the Russian’s ninth Grand Slam quarter-final, and his ninth attempt at reaching an elusive semi-final spot at a major.

For Draper, he missed out on the opportunity to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final as the last Brit standing at this year’s US Open went out with a spirited display against the world No 8.

Impressive Draper puts up a spirited fight as Rublev reaches ninth major quarter-final

It may not be such a bitter pill to swallow for Draper, however, as he had already broken new ground by reaching the last 16 at a major for the first time in his fledgling career.

The Brit can be immensely proud of a wonderful US Open campaign, which came just after several months out with a recurring shoulder injury – one that left the 21-year-old doubting whether he’d even be able to compete in New York, having had to withdraw from Winston-Salem less than a week before the start of 2023’s final slam.

After three excellent wins – including a straight sets victory over world No 17 Hubert Hurkacz – Draper put up another impressive fight against Andrey Rublev, taking the second set courtesy of some highly-effective serving and powerful returns.

Draper then earned an early break in the third, but could not press home the advantage as Rublev upped his trademark aggression to apply greater pressure on his opponent.

With so few matches under his belt over the past four months, the Brit began to tire towards the conclusion of the third set as Rublev gained parity and then broke again before serving out the third with ease.

Physical fitness key after injury lay-off for Draper

A break in the fifth game of the fourth and final set proved enough for Rublev, but Draper fought valiantly until the end.

The Brit saved two match points at 5-3 down to hold serve and force Rublev to serve out the match. He saved a third match point at 40-15 down as the Russian served for the win, but ultimately could not turn the tide against a supremely talented and experienced opponent, who got over the line with his fourth match point.

“Since the first point, I was feeling the ball really well. Jack was also playing well.

“I was thinking, ‘OK, even if I start to lose, let’s try to make the match as long as possible. Maybe physically I will be a bit fitter as Jack is just coming back from injury.’

“You guys bring this energy. From all the players, thank you so much guys,” Rublev finished by saying, addressing the Flushing Meadows crowd.

It was an entertaining contest, and one that illuminates just what a bright future Jack Draper has.

For Rublev, however, it is another very solid Grand Slam showing so far in New York. His thoughts will now move towards how to turn his ninth Grand Slam quarter-final appearance into a first major semi-final.

In order to do so, he will have to get past either Alex De Minaur or fellow Russian Daniil Medvedev in the last eight.

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New York (Grand Slam), other last 16 results (USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, hard, USD 44.700.000, most recent results first):

• Alexander Zverev vs. Jannik Sinner
• Daniil Medvedev vs. Alex De Minaur
• Carlos Alcaraz (1) beat Matteo Arnaldi: 6-3, 6-3, 6-4
• Novak Djokovic (2) beat Borna Gojo (Q): 6-2, 7-5, 6-4
• Taylor Fritz (9) beat Dominic Stricker (Q): 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4
• Frances Tiafoe (10) beat Rinky Hijikata (WC): 6-4, 6-1, 6-4
• Ben Shelton beat Tommy Paul (14): 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4