Tennis

Alex de Minaur's pursuit of a maiden Nitto ATP Finals berth has taken a significant step forward with his impressive performance at the Rolex Paris Masters. The Australian has moved into a qualifying position after avenging his US Open quarterfinal defeat to Jack Draper in a thrilling three-set encounter.De Minaur's victory over Draper, who had won the Vienna title the previous week, was a testament to his determination and resilience. Despite losing the opening set, the 25-year-old rallied back to claim the next two sets and secure a spot in the quarterfinals.With his victory, De Minaur has leapfrogged Andrey Rublev for the No. 8 spot in the race to Turin. If he advances to the semifinals, he will overtake Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud to further improve his chances of qualifying for the season-ending event.Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas remain in contention to shake up the race leaderboard, but De Minaur's performance in Paris has put him in a strong position. The Australian is aiming to become the first man from his nation to qualify for the ATP Finals in twenty years, following in the footsteps of his mentor Lleyton Hewitt.De Minaur's success in Paris is a continuation of his impressive season, which has seen him reach the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters and win the Atlanta Open. His consistent performances have solidified his status as one of the rising stars of the ATP Tour.As the Rolex Paris Masters progresses, De Minaur will face a tough challenge in the quarterfinals against either 2022 champion Holger Rune or French lucky loser Arthur Cazaux. However, the Australian has shown that he has the game and the determination to overcome any obstacle in his path to Turin.

Jack Draper's remarkable journey reached new heights in Vienna on Saturday as he secured a spot in his first ATP 500 final and projected a rise to the Top 15 in the ATP rankings.The 21-year-old Brit displayed exceptional form, defeating world No. 17 Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets (6-2, 6-4) in a thrilling semifinal clash. Draper's victory marks a significant milestone in his career, as it is his first final appearance at an ATP 500 event.Despite a brief setback in the second set, where Musetti rallied to tie the score at 4-4, Draper regained his composure and secured two quick games to seal the victory. This triumph extends Draper's ATP final record to 1-2, with his previous victory coming on grass in Stuttgart earlier this year.Draper's impressive performance has propelled him to a projected career-high ranking of No. 15, regardless of the outcome of the Vienna final. This achievement is a testament to his consistent performances and rapid rise in the tennis world.Standing in Draper's way for the ATP 500 title is former world No. 8 Karen Khachanov, who defeated world No. 10 Alex de Minaur in the other semifinal. Khachanov, known for his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, will pose a formidable challenge for Draper.The Vienna final promises to be an exciting encounter between two talented players. Draper will aim to continue his winning streak and secure his first ATP 500 title, while Khachanov will seek to add to his impressive record of seven titles in nine finals.

Jack Draper Attends Burberry Fashion Show with Anna Wintour and Olympic MedalistsAfter his impressive performance at the Davis Cup Group Stage Finals, rising tennis star Jack Draper graced the front row at the Burberry Summer 2025 show during London Fashion Week. Draper's presence at the prestigious event was a testament to his growing influence both on and off the court.Draper was seated alongside an illustrious group of guests, including Olympic gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, lifestyle brand founder Greatness Dex, rapper Skepta, and Olympic silver medalist Katarina Johnson Thompson. Draper's connection with Wintour was evident, as he had previously invited her to his box at the US Open.Draper's attendance at the fashion show is a reflection of his growing status as a style icon. Earlier this year, he modeled for British Vogue, showcasing his impeccable sense of style. His presence at the Burberry show further solidifies his position as a fashion-forward athlete.Beyond his fashion credentials, Draper is also focused on his tennis career. He is scheduled to compete in the Tokyo tournament, where he will aim to capture his first ATP 500 trophy. Draper's recent Grand Slam semifinal appearance has raised expectations, and he is determined to continue his upward trajectory.Draper's attendance at the Burberry fashion show is a testament to his versatility and his ability to balance his sporting and personal interests. As he continues to excel on the court, he is also establishing himself as a style icon and a respected figure in the fashion world.

Jannik Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion, continued his impressive run at the 2024 US Open, defeating Jack Draper in straight sets to advance to his first final at Flushing Meadows.Sinner, who has a perfect 13-0 record on hard-court majors this year, overcame a resilient Draper, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-2, in a match that lasted three hours and three minutes. The Italian has now reached the final of two Grand Slams in 2024, having won the Australian Open earlier this year.Despite being the more experienced player, Sinner faced a tough challenge from Draper, who was playing in his biggest match at the US Open. The Brit had lost only 26 games in his first four matches and had upset No. 10 seed Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals.The first set was closely contested, with both players exchanging breaks. Sinner eventually broke Draper's serve at 5-5 and served out the set in 56 minutes. The second set was equally tight, with Draper saving three break points before Sinner forced a tiebreaker. The Italian took control of the tiebreaker and won it 7-3.Draper's physical condition deteriorated in the third set, as he appeared to suffer from heat illness. Despite his discomfort, he continued to fight and kept the set on serve until the sixth game. Sinner eventually broke Draper's serve and served out the match to reach the final.Sinner will now face either No. 12 seed Taylor Fritz or No. 20 seed Frances Tiafoe in the final. It will be the first time an American has reached the championship match at a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick at the 2009 Wimbledon.

Jack Draper and Jannik Sinner, two close friends who have been competing on the tennis circuit since their junior days, will face off in the US Open final on Friday. The match will be a clash of two rising stars, both looking to claim their first Grand Slam title.Draper, a 20-year-old from the United Kingdom, has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, defeating some of the top players in the world, including sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and third seed Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner, a 21-year-old from Italy, has also been playing well, reaching the final without dropping a set.The two players have a long history together, having played doubles together at the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montréal earlier this summer. Draper has spoken highly of Sinner's support throughout his career, saying that he is "someone I'm definitely close to."Sinner, for his part, has said that he and Draper have a "great friendship" and that they "text each other when we have good or bad times."Despite their friendship, both players are determined to win the US Open final. Draper said that he is "excited" to play Sinner in the final and that he is "going to go out there and try to win."Sinner said that he is "looking forward" to the match and that he is "going to try to play my best tennis."The US Open final is sure to be a close and exciting match between two of the most promising young players in the world.

Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper have made history at the US Open, becoming the first Americans and British players, respectively, to reach the semi-finals in years. Pegula, ranked 8th in the world, stunned world number one Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-4, while Draper, seeded 25th, defeated 10th-ranked Alex de Minaur 6-3, 7-5, 6-2.Pegula's victory marks her first Grand Slam semi-final appearance after falling in six previous quarter-finals. She will face Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic in the next round, with a potential all-American final looming if Emma Navarro upsets Aryna Sabalenka in the other semi-final.Draper, meanwhile, has become the first British man to reach the US Open semi-finals since Andy Murray won the title in 2012. He will face either world number one Jannik Sinner or 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev for a place in the championship match.Pegula's success continues her impressive summer on US hard courts, where she has won 14 of 15 matches. "Finally I can say I'm a semi-finalist," she said after her victory over Swiatek. "I lost so many of these damn things."Draper's victory came despite a medical timeout early in the second set to have his right thigh bandaged. "It's amazing," he said. "My first time on Arthur Ashe Stadium, it means the world to me."The US Open semi-finals promise to be thrilling, with the possibility of an all-American sweep in both the men's and women's tournaments. Home fans will be hoping for a repeat of Andy Roddick's 2003 victory in the men's singles, while Serena Williams, Sloane Stephens, and Coco Gauff have all triumphed in the women's tournament in recent years.

Jack Draper: The Rising Star of British TennisFor decades, British tennis fans have endured a drought of male Grand Slam champions, with Andy Murray's 2013 Wimbledon victory being the last triumph. However, a new star has emerged in the form of 22-year-old Jack Draper, who has taken the tennis world by storm with his impressive performances.Draper's rise to prominence began at the US Open, where he made his first major semifinal appearance with a dominant 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Alex de Minaur. Despite de Minaur's physical discomfort, Draper maintained his aggressive approach throughout the match, showcasing his exceptional serve, forehand, and net game.Draper's success at the US Open is a testament to his rapid development. His coach, James Trotman, attributes his progress to his improved mental fortitude and his ability to control his emotions on the court. Draper's physical attributes, including his height and powerful serve, also give him an edge against the top players.While Draper shares some similarities with Andy Murray, such as being a British tennis insider, he possesses a distinct playing style. Unlike Murray's grinding style, Draper is a natural attacker with easy power and a smooth transition to the net.Draper's emergence has sparked excitement among British tennis fans, who have been eagerly awaiting a new hero to replace Murray. His potential is undeniable, and he is poised to make a significant impact on the sport in the years to come.

Daniil Medvedev, Jack Draper, and Iga Swiatek Advance at the US OpenDaniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, has defied expectations by reaching the third round of the US Open despite recent struggles. Despite concerns about his serve, Medvedev has dropped only one set in two matches, showcasing his exceptional defensive skills. His next opponent, Flavio Cobolli, is a rising star known for his explosive tennis. Cobolli has impressed this summer, reaching the Citi Open final and defeating top players like Felix Auger Aliassime and Tommy Paul. Medvedev's serve remains a question mark, but his ability to disrupt opponents' rhythm could prove decisive.Jack Draper, the 25th seed, faces a tough challenge in Botic Van de Zandschulp, who stunned Carlos Alcaraz in the second round. Van de Zandschulp's aggressive style and familiarity with the US Open courts make him a formidable opponent. However, Draper's powerful serve and left-handed advantage could give him an edge.In the women's draw, Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1, will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a rematch of their lopsided encounter in Rome last year. Pavlyuchenkova, a former Roland Garros finalist, has shown signs of improvement recently, reaching the quarterfinals in Cincinnati. Her ability to hit with pace from both wings could pose a threat to Swiatek, who has occasionally struggled on her forehand side.

Jack Draper, the rising British tennis star, has overcome the mental turmoil caused by a controversial match point in Cincinnati to make a strong start at the US Open.Draper, ranked 25th in the world, has reached the third round in New York without dropping a set, defeating Zhang Zhizhen and Facundo Diaz Acosta in straight sets. The 22-year-old is making up for lost time after missing much of last season due to injuries.However, Draper's recent success has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding his match point against Felix Auger-Aliassime in Cincinnati. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth missed a crucial call, awarding the point to Draper despite the ball bouncing twice before clearing the net.The incident sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many accusing Draper of cheating. Draper initially offered to replay the point but ultimately left the decision to the umpire. He later admitted that the controversy affected him in the following match, which he lost to Holger Rune."It was a bit of a storm last week," Draper said. "I played three tough matches there, and then in the match against Holger, I wasn't all there. I was not only physically tired, but mentally sort of bamboozled by the night before."Draper has since recovered from the incident and is focused on competing at the US Open. He is on course for a rematch with 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz in the next round."I've played him a couple of times on hard courts, and it's a different ballgame," Draper said. "If I do play him, I'll be expecting a very different Carlos Alcaraz out there than the one I played in Queens' Club. But I'm looking forward to that battle."The US Open has implemented an expanded video review system, allowing players to challenge incidentals like the one that occurred in Cincinnati. Draper believes this will improve the officiating system."It's very easy to see on the slow-mo replay from the side of the court that, in that situation, it was an illegal shot," Draper said. "But anyone who's playing the game out there knows it's not always easy in that situation to actually know what happened."