Jack Draper made a profitable US Open debut in opposition to Emil Ruusuvuori to arrange a second-round conflict with sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Whereas all eyes have been on Serena Williams over on Arthur Ashe, Draper ruthlessly bought on with enterprise on Court docket 9, claiming a 6-4 6-3 6-3 victory over Finn Ruusuvuori.
Though this was Draper’s first senior match at Flushing Meadows, such has been his meteoric rise this season that he was already seen as somebody to keep away from within the draw.
The identical might be stated of Ruusuvuori, who’s ranked 4 locations greater than Draper at 49 and defeated the 20-year-old Londoner at Queen’s this summer time.
However right here Draper confirmed the tempo of his enchancment by seizing the alternatives that got here his method.
He transformed all 5 break factors he created and dropped serve simply as soon as himself to guide an intriguing second-round date in opposition to Canadian Auger-Aliassime.
Draper stated: “It’s my third grand slam, second on benefit. I’d say it’s a extremely necessary win for me. He had me at Queen’s, he performed an unbelievable match there, so there have been positively doubts in my thoughts earlier than the match.
“However I used to be pleased with the best way I dealt with my first time right here, thought I performed a stable match. I believe I can nonetheless enhance tennis-wise however mentally and bodily it was a superb efficiency.”
