JACK'S LIVING THE DREAM

British No.1 Draper has swapped being on cusp of quitting tennis to first Slam quarter showdown

- NEIL MCLEMAN

JACK DRAPER reckons "dreams can come true" after defying the odds to tee up his first Grand Slam quarter-final tonight.

The British No.1, who has won all 12 sets he's played at this US Open, will face Aussie Alex de Minaur in Arthur Ashe Stadium from 7pm in the UK.

While the biggest match of his life beckons in the biggest stadium in the sport, his route to this stage has not been all "strawberries and cream".

The left-hander's life is now much more glamorous with Vogue photoshoots, although there was no escaping injury and life on the lower tours.

Draper, 22, said: "When you come out of the juniors you're into the 15ks, the Challengers - it's just crazy.

"You have to go to all these hard places to play tennis and beat men. It's really difficult.