COLUMN: Jack Draper has bullied his opponents at the US Open
Jack Draper is through to the US Open semi-finals (Image: Getty)
Jack Draper can prove he is Britain’s answer to Rafael Nadal – if he wins the US Open title.
The 22-year-old may no longer dress like his childhood hero, having ditched the sleeveless top and bandana he wore as a junior, but there are stark similarities starting to creep through.
The powerful leftie, who is naturally right-handed like Nadal, has bruised his way into the US Open semi-finals, physically bullying his opponents without dropping a set.
Britain has not had a male left-handed grand slam winner in the Open Era. Greg Rusedski came the closest, reaching the 1997 US Open final and peaking at No.4 in the world rankings.
Draper is two wins away from becoming Britain’s greatest-ever male leftie.
Two completely different challenges await Draper at Flushing Meadows.
The world No. 25 must first beat top seed Jannik Sinner, a technically brilliant groundstroker who is just as good on his backhand as he is the forehand. It will be a proper ding-dong fight.
If Draper can overcome that mountain he will face an additional monster in the final – a hostile 23,000-capacity arena, with an American home favourite opponent guaranteed.
It’s a big ask – but this could be the moment he fulfils the prophecy Nadal tipped him for last year.
“He’s young, he has the power and I think he has a great future in front of him,” Nadal said.
Jack Draper can be the first men’s British leftie to win a Grand Slam title (Image: Getty)
Ronnie O’Sullivan has sold his soul to the Saudis.
His latest declaration is that the 2034 football World Cup, in Saudi Arabia, will be the greatest of all time.
Come on, there’s a way of talking up a tournament, and then there’s just being disillusioned.
