The new Andy Murray? Jack Draper becomes first British man to reach US Open last eight since 2016

Jack Draper has become the first British man to reach the last eight of the US Open since Andy Murray in 2016.

After dominating his tie with Tomas Machac on Monday, Draper is now hoping to continue his winning form in the copmetition as he takes on Alex de Minaur in the quarter-final later on Wednesday.

He has yet to drop a set in his opening four matches, with his form echoing that of fellow Brit Emma Raducanu, who won the US Open in 2021.

Draper is doing a pretty good job of filling Murray’s shoes in the first grand slam since the Scot announced his retirement in July.

The British number one says he will not be afraid to tap into his predecessor's knowledge of playing on the biggest stage but does not want to disrupt Murray's retirement on the golf course.

“I feel like he would completely understand and respond to any messages I send him and would give me advice, but I think also at the same time I think he’s kind of enjoying his retirement now, and he’s kind of done with it,” Draper said.

“I know if I have any questions or if I’m feeling something, then he’ll be the first person I text. I know that he’d be there for me if I need him.”

Draper says his best is still to come.

“I think I’ve just got to keep on going because I know that there’s still room for improvement and still room to hopefully go further in the tournament,” he said.

“I feel like in most of the matches I’ve just had to control what I can control. I feel like my base level is good, but I still feel like if I need to, I can improve my level a lot more.

“I feel like there’s still a long way for me to go and a lot that I can still improve on in this tournament, and I think obviously as the challenge gets higher and as I play even better players, I think hopefully my level will increase with that."

He added: “I think that’s the main thing about tennis. You know, we can’t play our best tennis all the time.

“It’s about how we’re coming through on the days when we’re not playing our best or when things aren’t perfect or when we’re not feeling great.”

De Minaur, whose girlfriend is British number one Katie Boulter, has won all three previous meetings against Draper but is taking nothing for granted.

“I think the biggest thing that we need to understand is that there is nothing sure in tennis, right? Doesn’t matter how many times you’ve played someone. It doesn’t mean much,” he said.

“So playing Jack, he’s coming off his best year by far. He’s playing with a lot of confidence. He’s got some very big weapons; his serve, backhand, and forehand at times.

“So it’s always tough facing someone like him, especially a lefty.”

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