US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper defeated Polish second seed Hubert Hurkacz 6-6, 6-4 on Friday to advance to the quarter-finals of the Japan Open.
Earlier this month, the 22-year-old Draper made history by becoming the first British man to reach the US Open last four since Andy Murray’s victory 12 years ago. However, he could not progress to the final as eventual champion Jannik Sinner defeated him.
Draper continued his impressive form in Tokyo, securing a 1hr, 24min victory over Hurkacz, setting up a quarter-final clash with either American Brandon Nakashima or France’s Ugo Humbert.
With Hurkacz’s elimination, only three of the eight seeded players remain in the Japan Open after the first-round exits of number one Taylor Fritz, number three Casper Ruud, number four Stefanos Tsitsipas, and number seven Frances Tiafoe. This leaves Draper, currently ranked 20th in the world, as the unseeded player to watch in Tokyo.
The British number one has shown resilience and determination despite battling multiple shoulder injuries, especially considering he was ranked outside the top 100 when he competed in the Japan Open last year.