Jack Draper proved too strong for Botic van de Zandschulp, who beat Carlos Alcaraz in the previous round of the 2024 US Open but couldn’t replicate that level of play.
Just two days ago, van de Zandschulp pulled off what many consider one of the greatest upsets in modern tennis history. He faced Alcaraz in a match that most people expected to be a straightforward three-set affair.
Indeed it was, but it was the Dutch player who emerged victorious, sending one of the favorites packing. His next challenge was an in-form Draper, who had played solid tennis recently.
The Brit looked sharp throughout the week but hadn’t yet faced a truly great player. This was his toughest match so far, and he rose to the occasion. He needed to because van de Zandschulp is a tricky opponent.
The Dutch player didn’t play poorly; he was quite solid. He wasn’t as brilliant as he was against Alcaraz, but that was to be expected. If he could perform like that in back-to-back matches, he would be in the Top 10, which he is not.
The problem was that Draper was just a little bit sharper. The first set was a tight battle with chances on both sides. Both players dropped their serves, but Draper did just a bit better.
He had fewer chances but converted them more effectively. He also committed fewer unforced errors, which helped him win the set. Securing the first set with a 6-3 win was hugely important for his confidence, allowing him to relax a bit.
He carried that momentum into the second set, playing another strong set and leaving very few opportunities for his opponent. Van de Zandschulp improved in the second set but couldn’t capitalize on his lone chance, while Draper took one of his opportunities, winning the set 6-4.
Throughout the match, van de Zandschulp pushed hard but wasn’t as precise as needed. A few missed shots here and there cost him two sets, the same fine margins that had allowed him to win against Alcaraz.
Draper broke his opponent's serve at 2-2 in the third set to take a 3-2 lead, and from there, he didn't face any resistance from his opponent. It was a solid display from Draper, who is no stranger to strong performances in New York.
This year is shaping up to be another successful one, and he even looks like a player who could go as far as the semi-finals. It depends on how he plays in the upcoming rounds, but it's possible if he keeps up this level. The final score was 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 for the Brit, who moved on to week two.
| Jack Draper | Botic van de Zandschulp | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Aces | 6 |
| 5 | Double Faults | 8 |
| 57% | First Serve % | 59% |
| 78% (45/58) | Points Won After First Serve % | 71% (29/41) |
| 43% (19/44) | Points Won After Second Serve % | 31% (9/29) |
| 63% (5/8) | Break Point Conversion | 11% (1/9) |
| 32 | Winners | 33 |
| 22 | Unforced Errors | 38 |