Jack Draper gave Britain a glimpse into the future as the 22-year-old showed us why he belongs with the best the men's game has to offer; Watch the US Open until September 8 - live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+ which is integrated into Sky TV and NOW
Sunday 8 September 2024 17:30, UK
Jack Draper put his heart and soul into Friday's gladiatorial battle with world No 1 Jannik Sinner, giving Britain a glimpse into a very bright future.
Draper went through every kind of emotion during his 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 defeat to Sinner, vomiting numerous times as he struggled with the heat and humidity that also left his shirt drenched in sweat.
The second set was among the most exhaustive, emotionally draining, gladiatorial, surreal sets of tennis witnessed at the tournament.
Blood, sweat, vomit, tears, humidity, and endurance in a battle of the fittest.
The second set will live long in the memory as a drained Draper battled the conditions, sweating profusely, and was even forced to change his waterlogged shoes in the middle of a game at one point.
Draper's serve was a struggle, facing break points in five consecutive games, but he showed guts and determination to go toe-to-toe with Sinner.
The young Briton vomited at the back court, then used his towel to mop up himself before putting it back in his box. "You've got to carry on playing against the world No 1," said commentator Jonathan Overend.
The next game there was more drama as Sinner fell awkwardly at the baseline and put his weight on his left wrist, with the physio soon out for the top seed while the doctor attended to Draper.
A gruelling 87-minute set had taken its toll on Draper, who left the court for a comfort break while the physio returned to massage Sinner's thighs.
The Italian ruthlessly quashed any hopes Draper might have harboured of a comeback as he eased through the third set to complete victory - but the significance of the Brit's breakthrough was undeniable.
Draper was ranked 123rd when he made an inspired run to the fourth round last year despite an injury-plagued season.
He has enjoyed an incredible run in New York and there are plenty of positives to take away, as he became the first British man to reach the semi-finals here since Andy Murray won the tournament 12 years ago.
Murray has left the stage now, his retirement after so long as the face of British tennis leaving a gap that Draper is determined to fill.
"I just need to keep on learning, keep on growing, keep on having situations where I came unstuck," he said.
"It's experiences, doing all the right things, it's training consistently, and over time you just progress and you get stronger and you get better. Hopefully I'll be in these situations more often and I'm able to come through them."
He later added: "When I came here last year I was 120 in the world, barely played the whole season. I think I'll be leaving here this week Top 20.
"I'm breaking new barriers down the whole time of what I think is possible."
Marion Bartoli believes Draper will learn from his striking run at Flushing Meadows.
"Draper will learn a lot. You learn from playing the best. They show you your weaknesses and where they are better," said the former Wimbledon champion.
"The first serve percentage of Sinner was much better and he was going for more. The forehand was around 6-8mph faster than Jack on average throughout the match.
"It just drains you because you have to absorb the pace and physically you have to be so strong.
"Then, physically, Sinner was moving better throughout the match. So those are the two elements he can make a massive step forward.
"He can already do a lot and if he can do those two things better, he can be a top-five player for me."
Sky Sports' Tim Henman described Draper's run as a "huge stepping stone" in his career - and insists the Brit is the "real deal".
Speaking after the semi-final, the six-time Grand Slam semi-finalist said: "It was really about Sinner playing better tennis at the most important times.
"There were some ebbs and flows in the first set, but at the end of the first and second set - there was a lot of drama - but that was when Sinner showed his class, with his ball striking on both wings.
"He was making the rallies physical and it was too much for Jack. He will learn so much from this.
"To be in a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time is a huge stepping stone. Onwards and upwards."
Henman later added: "Jack Draper is the real deal and for him to play so well in a Slam is so exciting. I still think he's going to get better - we're not overhyping him at all.
"This has been a breakthrough Slam. We've been able to see how he's got fitter, stronger. He's more resilient, he's got big weapons and he's got a great attitude.
"I think he can win a Grand Slam - he's that good a player."
Week commencing September 9: Davis Cup Finals - group stage
Week commencing September 16: Laver Cup/Chengdu Open/Zhuhai Championships
Week commencing September 23: China Open/Japan Open
Week commencing September 30: Shanghai Masters (ATP Masters 1000)
Week commencing October 7: Shanghai Masters (ATP Masters 1000)
Week commencing October 28: Paris Masters (ATP Masters 1000)
Week commencing November 11: ATP Finals
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