Alex de Minaur was defeated the last time he faced Jack Draper in the US Open, and it’s unknown how much more tennis he can play in 2024 given his ongoing hip injury battle.
However, defeating his rival in Flushing Meadows at the Paris Masters has virtually guaranteed de Minaur’s spot as the first Australian to reach the ATP finals in 20 years.
De Minaur said his task was “not done” after giving it his all to win on a day when countryman Jordan Thompson continued his explosive ascent up the rankings with a victory that won him a first Masters 1000 quarter-final berth.
After dropping the first set, Australia’s top player, de Minaur, rallied to defeat Draper 5-7 6-2 6-3 at the
It took everything I had, and I’m just glad I managed to get through. I will risk my life, give it my all, and prove to my opponent that I am capable of doing that all day.
De Minaur’s victory was made the more remarkable because Draper, the world No. 15 seed, had won seven straight games following his victory at the Vienna Open.
Additionally, Thompson’s two-set triumph against French local favorite Adrian Mannarino propelled the 28-year-old Australian into his seventh quarterfinal of what has been by far his best singles season.
I did great to turn it around from 6-5, 40-15, and I actually found some of my best points and managed to sneak out a win in the tie-breaker, even though it was getting a little noisy out there,” Thompson said.
“These significant outcomes at important tournaments are what we’ve been aiming for.”
Alexei Popyrin exited the event, although he will face Carlos Alcaraz in his first quarterfinal.