The final day of US Open quarter-final action in singles saw the end of the road for Australia's remaining hope, while Jessica Pegula put tournament favourite Aryna Sabalenka on notice.
Men's Singles Results:
[25] Jack Draper def. [10] Alex de Minaur 6-3, 7-5, 6-2
[1] Jannik Sinner def. [5] Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4
Having entered the US Open draw without a competitive singles match under his belt since Wimbledon, Alex de Minaur's ceiling was unknown.
The 25-year-old had managed his workload to perfection to reach the last eight, but his opponent proved a class above in almost every category, meaning Draper's perfect record of claiming every set this campaign is still intact.
In truth, it was barely a competitive contest for the most part despite de Minaur's unwillingness to give up the fight as the tennis world is accustomed to now.
“I was expecting to feel better. I was trending in the right direction and today was a little bit the opposite,” the Australian Olympian said.
"I dealt with it after Wimbledon. I’ll deal with it after here, and I’ll be back in no time, and hopefully sliding from side-to-side with not a thought in my head.
Speaking to Stan Sport post-match, Draper was aware of de Minaur's physical issues.
"I did feel like his energy was a bit subdued as if he was hurting and carrying something, and I have huge respect for that, but he was obviously struggling," said the 25th seed who becomes the first British man to advance to the US Open semis since Andy Murray in 2012.
The win ensures the Brit will face top seed Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals, as the Italian pulled through in a strange encounter against familiar rival and former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev.
In their 13th meeting, breaks of serve were easy to come by in the opening three sets, before a tighter affair in the fourth required the sole break from Sinner - advancing to his first semi-final in the Big Apple.
“We know each other very well. We are good friends off the court," Sinner said of Draper in his on-court interview.
"It’ll be a tough one. He’s playing incredible. He hasn’t lost a set yet. He’s playing very very good, so see what’s coming. I’m just happy to be in the semis. Let’s see who plays better in a couple days.”
Women's Singles Results:
[6] Jessica Pegula def. [1] Iga Światek 6-2, 6-4
Karolína Muchová def. [22] Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-1, 6-4
After years of frustration not being able to fulfil her potential at Grand Slam level, America's Jessica Pegula earned a statement win against five-time major winner Iga Światek during primetime.
Before the win, Pegula was 0-6 in Grand Slam quarter-finals, but the 30-year-old committed 22 unforced errors and was a brick wall from the baseline.
“I knew I could do it,” said Pegula. “I just had to go out and execute my game and not get frustrated. Luckily, I felt like I was able to take advantage of some things she wasn’t doing well very early and then was able to kind of ride that momentum throughout the match.”
Unseeded Czech Karolína Muchová secured her ticket to the semi-finals, conceding five games against Beatriz Haddad Maia in a commanding display.
The 2023 Roland Garros runner-up will go toe-to-toe with Pegula with a spot in the final up for grabs.
Aussie Talent Emerson Jones Suffers Shock Defeat:
Junior girls' No.1 seed, Emerson Jones, bowed out of the tournament in the round of 16 at the hands of Brit Mika Stojsavljevic to lose 7-5, 6-4.
Jones, 16, reached the junior finals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, putting into context the bright future ahead for the Australian teenager.
Aussie Junior Wheelchair Results:
Junior Boys:
Jin Woodman (AUS) def. Yassin Hill (AUS) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
[1] Maximilian Taucher def. Benjamin Wenzel (AUS) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
Junior Girls:
Frederique Berube Perron def. Isla Gillespie (AUS) 6-3, 6-2
World No.4 Jin Woodman claimed a come-from-behind victory against Australian compatriot Yassin Hill to set up a semi-final tie with second-seed Ivar van Rijt.
Meanwhile, a first-set scalp was not enough to cause an upset against top-ranked Maximilian Taucher of Austria, while Isla Gillespie fell short in her junior girls' quarter-final to bow out in straight sets.
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