Jack Draper did not drop a set on his way to the 2024 US Open semi-finals
US Open 2025
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 24 August-7 September
Coverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website & app
British number one Jack Draper stated he was “almost a bit happy” to concede a set as his fitness was rigorously tested upon his return to the US Open.
Draper battled to a 6-4 7-5 6-7 (7-9) 6-2 victory over Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez in the first round.
The fifth seed, a semi-finalist in New York last year, was contesting his first singles match since Wimbledon in early July, having recovered from an arm injury.
“I needed tennis in my legs. I needed to play a three-hour match,” Draper commented.
“I was almost a bit happy when I lost the third because my level wasn’t amazing.
“Then I felt like towards the end of the fourth I started to get better and better.”
Draper, 23, is considered a contender for the title as he returns to the scene of his Grand Slam breakthrough.
While not at his absolute peak, the left-handed Englishman expressed satisfaction with his ability to largely neutralise Gomez’s aggressive style.
Draper absorbed significant pressure from the baseline, posing challenges that his 203rd-ranked opponent struggled to consistently overcome.
After saving a match point in the tie-break, Gomez prolonged the match before Draper secured the win on his second match point.
“I wasn’t too sure if I was going to make it here,” Draper admitted regarding his injury.
“I’m not putting too much expectation on myself. I’m so happy to be able to compete.”
Fellow Briton Cameron Norrie also advanced to the second round after his American opponent, Sebastian Korda, retired due to injury.
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Attention was focused on Draper’s upper left arm as he played his first singles match since his unexpected second-round exit at Wimbledon nearly eight weeks prior.
The focus was not solely on his enhanced physique, but also on any potential issues stemming from the bruised humerus that had recently affected him.
Draper opted out of the recent ATP 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati to allow for recovery, but participated in the revamped US Open mixed doubles competition the previous week to regain match sharpness.
Upon his singles return, Draper sported a compression sleeve on his serving arm, providing support and comfort.
Draper had stated before the match that he would not hold back, although his serve speeds were slightly reduced.
“I’ve definitely had to rein in my serve a little bit to keep the pain down,” he explained.
“At the same time, though, I feel like my accuracy is almost a bit better.”
An average serve speed of 111mph in the first set, decreasing to 108mph, 110mph, and 106mph in the subsequent sets, suggested a controlled approach.
The precision of Draper’s kick serve contributed to him not being broken until late in the second set, which he subsequently won, and proved crucial as he dominated the fourth.
While Gomez produced more forehand winners, Draper’s own powerful shots from that wing drew audible reactions from the crowd.
A flatter hitting style on his forehand in the fourth set yielded greater success, setting up a second-round encounter against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs, another aggressive and fearless opponent.
Cameron Norrie has never progressed past the fourth round at the US Open
A “nervous” Norrie expressed concerns about playing first on court at 11:00 local time, requiring additional fuel before facing an opponent who had been ranked within the top 20 the previous year, and against whom he had lost three of their four previous encounters.
Ultimately, the 30-year-old’s concerns proved unwarranted, as Norrie led 7-5 6-4 when Korda, 25, retired prematurely.
American Korda had only returned to competitive play the previous week following a nearly three-month layoff due to a shin stress fracture.
He called a medical timeout at the beginning of the second set against Norrie, appearing to suffer from an abdominal issue.
Although Korda continued for the remainder of the set, he was unable to continue further, sending Norrie through to face either Argentine Francisco Comesana or American Alex Michelsen.
“I was very nervous for the match,” Norrie admitted.
“Playing a Grand Slam match at 11am and trying to get rice down at 10am is not easy!”
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