By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper def Felix Auger-Aliassime [6] 6-4 6-4 6-4
- Draper v Karen Khachanov [27] | H2H: First Meeting
NEW YORK, USA – Jack Draper earned the biggest win of his career, stunning Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets to set up a third round clash with Karen Khachanov.
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Jack Draper def Felix Auger-Aliassime [6] 6-4 6-4 6-4
Jack Draper earned the biggest win of his career by knocking out last year’s semi-finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach the third round of the US Open. Draper produced high-quality returning from the first game as the Brit dominated the opening game to break. The Canadian had no answer to Draper’s consistent power from the back of the court as Draper created three more break points in the next two return games.
However the sixth seed produced some big shots under pressure to deny Draper a second break and went on the attack in the tenth game. Auger-Aliassime started to produce some consistency and depth as he created three break points when Draper served for the opening set. In the end Draper produced some big serves and some good angles as he clinched the opening set with a powerful forehand at the net.
That late pressure from the Canadian at the end of the opening set was surprisingly the Canadian’s only break points of the match as he failed to create consistent pressure on return. Draper was producing problematic serves for Auger-Aliassime as he kept winning the pressure points and setting up powerful winners into the open court.
The only break point of the second set was created and taken by the Brit in the seventh game as he sealed the second set with an ace as he sealed a two sets to love lead in style. Auger-Aliassime continued to serve well in the third set but when the pressure was on, he couldn’t deliver consistent enough tennis to hold off the Brit’s momentum.
Draper took his third break point of the fifth game to seal the crucial break and would serve out the match to love to seal one of the most impressive wins of his career as he moves into the last 32 in New York.
Jack Draper v Karen Khachanov [27] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jack Draper v Karen Khachanov [27] | H2H: First Meeting |
| US Open 2022 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $188,000 |
| Third on Grandstand, not before 7pm BST | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Draper will now face 27th seed Karen Khachanov in the third round with the Russian gaining four set wins over Denis Kudla and Thiago Monteiro to get to this stage.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Jack Draper (WR 53) | Karen Khachanov (WR 31) |
| Tournament Previous Best | N/A | R3 (2018, 2020) |
| 1st Serve % | 57.9 | 64.3 |
| Service Games Won % | 86.5 | 82.2 |
| Break Points Saved % | 71.9 | 65.4 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 52 | 49 |
| Break Points Converted % | 41.2 | 39.6 |
Draper is the better player under pressure but the Brit will need to be aware of Khachanov’s heavy first serve heading into this match.
Playing Styles and Prediction
Khachanov has produced consistent results throughout the clay court season and into the US Open but the Russian is yet to make a big breakthrough at major tournaments. Now the Russian looks to make his mark on the draw and reach the second week at the US Open for the first time.
Draper will look to target most of his power to Khachanov’s backhand and use the serve smartly as he will look to be patient. Khachanov will look to take risks with the forehand and finish points off at the net. The Brit should come through this match given his level of play at the moment but will know he can’t be complacent.
Prediction: Draper in four sets.
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