British star Jack Draper made the third round at the US Open for the second consecutive year after a superb victory over former top-10 player Hubert Hurkacz.
The 21-year-old is the first of the six-strong British contingent playing on day four to get through after an impressive 6-2 6-4 7-5 win over Hurkacz, the 17th seed from Poland.
It was the fifth best win of the youngster’s career by ranking as Hurkacz struggled throughout and called for a doctor in the final set before falling to defeat.
Draper, who last year was ranked as high as 38 in the world, has endured a torrid 12 months with injuries and had to miss Wimbledon with a shoulder tear.
Now outside the top 100, Draper felt the shoulder again in a warm-up event and feared the worst.
“I felt something in my arm again that I hadn’t had in a while, and, you know, came here with the intention of ‘we’ll take it day by day’,” he said.
“I had a scan and I had a very small bit of edema in my arm, which is basically a tear.
“I was looking with my coach and physio thinking, you know, just another bit of time off. We were almost in tears. What more can we do?
“There was a strong chance I couldn’t play this week. But we got the scans done and sent it back home and they said it’s not the same injury, so it’s not that serious.
“I’m kind of looking after it each day. It was a bit sore after my last match but when the adrenaline kicks in and obviously playing the US Open, I just put it out of my mind and go out and try my best to play the tennis I want to.”
Tale of the Tape
Who’s next for Draper?
Draper will face American Michael Mmoh as he bids to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
“It’s weird how sort of this sport works,” Draper said. “Sometimes you can be at your lowest point and then all of a sudden you get on a bit of form and you’re playing great and your body feels good.
“Hopefully, touch wood, this is going to be the start of something.”
Mmoh made it through to the third round for the first time in his career after saving a match point before sending John Isner into retirement with a 3-6 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 7-6 (9-7) victory.
Norrie through in straight-sets
British No 1 Cameron Norrie joined fellow Brits Draper and Katie Boulter in the third round by seeing off Hsu Yu-hsiou 7-5 6-4 6-4.
The 28-year-old fired 15 aces on his way to a comfortable victory over the world No 237 from Chinese Taipei.
“I was really happy with the way I played the big points and I felt like I was moving really well and happy to be through,” said Norrie.
“I’m having to play a lot of rallies which is really good because I’m getting matches that I really like to play but I was really proud with the way I served and I stayed tough.”
The US Open on Sky Sports: How and where to watch
The US Open is back on Sky Sports with the promise to give fans live coverage of the Grand Slam like never before.
Sky welcomes tennis back to its channels, adding to the existing sports portfolio and reaffirming the broadcaster as the home of live sport in the UK & Ireland.
Sky Sports’ new mixed reality studio features multiple custom-built LED screens, integrated light ‘sabres’, and an open canopy roof, making the space alive with colour and energy to reflect the vibrancy of the last Grand Slam of the year.
With integrated AR capabilities, a versatile LED floor, and a ‘fourth wall’, the viewer will be transported to the Arthur Ashe Stadium in a 360-degree immersive environment. Our tennis experts will take the viewer into the eyes of the players for expert Hawkeye analysis and insight as the tournament progresses.
The technology involved allows us to add an entirely new dimension and will bring customers closer to the action.
Highlights of matches will be available across Sky Sports TV and our social media platforms.
Video highlights will also be available on the Sky Sports website and app, where there will also be a daily live text commentary on the Sky Sports website and app, as well as live scores, reports, analysis and features.
Stream the US Open on Sky Sports with NOW for just £26 a month for 12 months. Cancel anytime.