A couple of days after sealing his first career grand slam win, at Wimbledon, in 2022, a 20-year-old Jack Draper earned himself a rare chance to test his level against one of the sport's rising stars over the best of five sets.
The early returns from his second-round bout on No 1 Court with Alex de Minaur were encouraging. Despite the 67 ranking places and three years separating them, they went blow to blow as equals and were level after the two tight, gripping sets.
The intensity of their exchanges, however, left a significant mark on the young challenger and Draper spent the remainder of the match panting and hunching over as he faded in the last two sets. Between his undeniable raw talent and the physical problems that eventually hampered him, the match was a perfect reflection of Draper's early development.
They will meet again in the quarter-finals of the US Open today, perhaps the biggest match of their careers. In a draw that has provided numerous upsets and early exits, with the third seed, Carlos Alcaraz, losing early in their section, there is no top player to conquer en route to the final four. This is a massive opportunity for both of them.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 04, 2024 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 04, 2024 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
"They can't get away scot-free' EFL wants to charge Leicester with PSR breach if relegated
The English Football League wants to charge Leicester over the alleged breach of profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) the Premier League was blocked from pursuing this month, if the club are relegated.
Rodgers’ star on rise again as rampant Celtic extend perfect start
This proved a modern day Celtic Park rarity.
City off-colour as Gündogan's late misses hand dogged Inter a point
Manchester City know only too well how tough a nut Inter are to crack.
Significant ankle damage rules Ødegaard out 'for a while'
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Martin Ødegaard has damaged ankle ligaments and will be sidelined \"for a while\" after the Arsenal captain was injured on international duty.
Salvatore Schillaci, 1964-2024 Italy mourns its goalscoring hero from 1990 World Cup
Tributes have been paid to Salvatore Schillaci after the former Italy forward died at the age of 59.
Captain Brook hands rebooted England licence to entertain
In one sense the five-match ODI series between England and Australia that starts in Nottingham today is slightly lacking in wider context.
'Any free time, I'll go fishing.My missus thinks I'm a bit weird'
Ollie Sleightholme, who is geared up for title defence, explains how angling relieves the pressures Northampton's
Itoje rejects Jones’ claims he is not suited to captaincy
Maro Itoje has rejected claims by the former England head coach Eddie Jones that he is \"very inward-looking\" and not suited to Test captaincy, after being unveiled as Saracens' skipper.
Floods and tears Worcestershire dig deep to shine despite adversity and tragedy
Somerset could still win their first County Championship title, while Surrey remain on for the three-peat.
Remote working Like it or loathe it, WFH looks like it is here to stay
Four years ago when the world of work was upended by the Covid pandemic, confident were made predictions that a permanent shift in remote working would follow the removal of lockdown restrictions.