“Sinner Cruises to US Open Final as Draper’s On-Court Sickness Derails His Dream!”
Jack Draper’s US Open journey ended in heartbreak after he succumbed to a straight-sets defeat against Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals, while battling illness on court. The British number one had an impressive run in New York, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu by claiming the title. Draper,…
Jack Draper’s US Open journey ended in heartbreak after he succumbed to a straight-sets defeat against Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals, while battling illness on court. The British number one had an impressive run in New York, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu by claiming the title.
Draper, 22, had reached the semi-finals without dropping a set, but on Friday night, he faced the world’s top player and fell short in a 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-2 loss. Despite going toe-to-toe for much of the match, Draper struggled physically, vomiting on court four times.
Although he narrowly missed becoming the first British man since Murray to reach a Grand Slam final, Draper’s performance proved he has the talent and all-round game to compete at the highest level. Injury concerns aside, he is poised to challenge for major titles in the future.
Sinner, who came into the tournament amidst controversy after narrowly avoiding a ban following two positive anti-doping tests earlier in the year, showed his resilience and mental strength to reach his first US Open final. He outlasted Draper in key moments and praised his opponent, calling him a “good friend.”
Now the favourite to claim his second Grand Slam title, Sinner will face either Taylor Fritz or Frances Tiafoe in Sunday’s final.
Draper, who had never advanced past the fourth round at this tournament, showed no signs of nerves. After an early exchange of breaks, he came within two points of taking the first set, but Sinner fought back, breaking Draper to take the set and ending the Brit’s 15-set winning streak.
The physical toll of the match soon became apparent as Draper struggled to keep pace in the second set, with Sinner’s relentless defense creating multiple break-point opportunities. Draper saved four of them, but the match’s intensity caught up with him, leading to bouts of sickness on court.
Sinner also faced a brief injury scare after falling on his wrist, but he recovered to dominate the second-set tiebreak, putting himself in full control. Draper, visibly exhausted, even requested a can of Coke during the third set, but it wasn’t enough to turn things around, as Sinner cruised to victory.