By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper [25] def Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-3 6-4 6-2
- Draper v Tomas Machac | H2H: Machac leads 1-0
NEW YORK, USA – Jack Draper eased past Botic Van De Zandschulp to reach the second week of the US Open for a second year in a row and will now face the in-form Tomas Machac for a place in the quarter-finals.
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Jack Draper [25] def Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-3 6-4 6-2
Jack Draper is into the second week of the US Open for the second year in a row after the British number one defeated Botic Van De Zandschulp in straight sets. The Dutchman entered this matching having knocked out Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz but struggled to back up the win throughout the contest.
After a testing time on serve, Draper made the best possible start to the match as a shanked forehand just crept in which allowed the Brit to hit a volley winner to break for a 2-0 lead. Despite going an early break down, Van De Zandschulp continued to apply persistent pressure on return as he hit freely on the baseline especially on the forehand side.
Although the Dutchman failed on his first couple of attempts, Van De Zandschulp earned his rewards for an aggressive start as he broke back with the first set back on serve at 4-3. After playing some cagey tennis after taking a 3-0 lead, Draper provided an immediate response as he burst into life and a couple of unforced errors from the Dutchman gave the 25th seed a chance to close out the opening set at 5-3. Another mammoth game saw Van De Zandschulp apply pressure on return but Draper closed out the set on his fifth set point to take the opening set.
In the second set, Draper faced a stern test on serve as Van De Zandschulp was entering his best period of the match as he hit some powerful winner from the baseline. The British number one was hitting some unforced errors in crucial moments on return as the Dutchman was gradually building momentum in the match. However against the run of play Draper shut down that momentum against him as he broke in the seventh game thanks to a double fault from the Dutchman.
That crucial break for a 4-3 lead sparked Draper’s game into life as he consolidated the break comfortably before dominating on return and creating two set points. However Van De Zandschulp forced the Brit to serve for the set after rediscovering his serving confidence. The British number one denied the Dutchman a chance to break as an ace sealed a two set lead for Draper.
At the start of the third set Van De Zandschulp played an aggressive and proactive style of play as he showed urgency, looking to overturn this two set deficit. The Dutchman rushed the net as he took a 2-1 lead as things were starting to look a little bit brighter. Unfortunately for Van De Zandschulp that was the only bit of joy he was getting for the remainder of the set as back-to-back double faults saw Draper take control of the match at 3-2.
A mixture of depth and more errors from the Dutchman saw Draper extend his lead to 5-2 as the finishing line was in sight. Another forehand winner secured the win as the Brit moved into the last 16 in New York.
Jack Draper [25] v Tomas Machac H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jack Draper [25] v Tomas Machac | H2H: Machac leads 1-0 |
| US Open 2024 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $325,000 |
| Second on Louis Armstrong Stadium (17:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Draper will aim for a first Grand Slam quarter-final when he takes on the in-form Tomas Machac.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Jack Draper (WR 25) | Tomas Machac (WR 39) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R4 (2023) | R1 (2022) |
| 1st Serve % | 54.2 | 63.1 |
| Service Games Won % | 73.5 | 78.3 |
| Break Points Saved % | 60.1 | 58.7 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 49.5 | 53.4 |
| Break Points Converted % | 31.3 | 46.5 |
Draper will need to be clinical and aggressive on serve given Machac’s confident returning this season.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Machac has had an incredible season this year which has seen the Czech Republican’s aggressive play rewarded with a rise up the rankings and an Olympic gold medal. The world number 39 has no plans on stopping anytime soon as he has cruised into the last 16 without dropping a set and now aims for a first Grand Slam quarter-final.
Draper will look to take the forehand early as he will need to be flawless on serve given Machac’s clinical returning this season. Machac will target Draper’s forehand as he will step into the court and rush the Brit’s play. This will be a very tough test for Draper in a match that has a lot riding for both players as this is an opportunistic section of the draw. One thing is guaranteed and that’s entertainment as both players are in form heading into this match.
Prediction: Machac in five sets.
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