By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper [25] def Zhizhen Zhang 6-3 6-0 4-0 RET
- Draper v Facundo Diaz Acosta | H2H: First Meeting
NEW YORK, USA – Jack Draper cruised into the second round of the US Open and will now play Facundo Diaz Acosta.
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Jack Draper [25] def Zhizhen Zhang 6-3 6-0 4-0 RET
Jack Draper is into the second round of the US Open after only dropping three games against Zhizhen Zhang, who eventually retired from the match in the third set. The Chinese player was dealing with a leg/thigh injury and had two medical time-outs towards the end of the second set. However Draper remained professional throughout and made a lightening start to the contest.
The British number one took the ball early and was aggressive as he broke Zhang in the fifth game for a 3-2 lead. Both players had set a lightening quick pace early on but there was only one player that was able to maintain it as Draper only lost two points on serve in the opening set. A second break of serve secured the set for Draper in the ninth game, securing it on his first set point.
After that it was one-way traffic as Draper produced some stunning shots against Zhang who was clearly unable to keep up with the 25th seed in the long rallies. The British number one had a tougher time on serve but ultimately won the crucial points and broke on three more occasions to take a two set lead.
The 66 minute demolition job was complete in the third set as Draper won four more games before Zhang decided the pain of the injury and the incoming defeat was too much. Draper into the second round at the US Open for a third year in a row.
Jack Draper [25] v Facundo Diaz Acosta H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jack Draper [25] v Facundo Diaz Acosta | H2H: First Meeting |
| US Open 2024 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $140,000 |
| Third on Court Five (19:00 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Draper will now look to reach the third round for a third time as he takes on Facundo Diaz Acosta.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Jack Draper (WR 25) | Facundo Diaz Acosta (WR 64) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R4 (2023) | R1 (2023) |
| 1st Serve % | 58.6 | 64 |
| Service Games Won % | 83 | 76.5 |
| Break Points Saved % | 56.2 | 58.2 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 50.7 | 51 |
| Break Points Converted % | 43.8 | 40.2 |
Draper will aim to continue setting a lightning quick tempo on serve as he may need to be more patient in this match with Diaz Acosta looking to extend the rallies.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Diaz Acosta has had a decent season with a quarter-final appearance in Barcelona followed by a semi-final appearance in Kitzbuhel. However the Argentinian has struggled for wins on hard courts and will be boosted by his first round win over Hugo Gaston. Now Diaz Acosta aims to make more progress as he targets a place in the world’s top 50.
Draper will continue to be aggressive and proactive on serve as he aims to set up efficient winners on the backhand side. Meanwhile Diaz Acosta will look to extend the rallies and test Draper’s variety from the baseline. This will be a tricky match for Draper that will test the Brit’s consistency but ultimately Draper should have too much quality for the Argentinian.
Prediction: Draper in straight sets.
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