I have another 'level' for US Open semi-final - Draper

Britain's Jack Draper says he has different level to spell astatine nan US Open aft he hit Alex de Minaur to scope his first Grand Slam semi-final.

The 22-year-old, who is yet to driblet a group successful New York, won 6-3 7-5 6-2 against nan Australian 10th seed.

He will now play either world number 1 Jannik Sinner aliases 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev successful nan past 4 connected Friday.

"This is not an overnight point for me," nan 25th seed said.

"I felt for illustration my level coming was solid, location were immoderate glimpse of really bully stuff.

"I still person immoderate levels to spell if I get pushed."

Draper is nan first Briton to scope nan semi-finals of nan men's singles astatine Flushing Meadows since Andy Murray successful 2012 - erstwhile Murray went connected to triumph nan title.

He has been highly-rated since a young property - he reached nan last of nan juniors astatine Wimbledon and took a group disconnected Novak Djokovic astatine SW19 connected his Grand Slam debut arsenic a 19-year-old - but missed ample chunks of nan 2023 play pinch injuries arsenic his assemblage struggled to accommodate to life connected tour.

"Last twelvemonth was a existent turning constituent for me," Draper said.

"When I had my wounded setbacks I had to watch each of these young astonishing players winning astonishing tournaments and playing connected nan biggest stages successful nan world.

"I felt for illustration I conscionable wasn't doing capable to get to that constituent myself.

"I've believed for a agelong clip that I've been putting successful nan activity and doing nan correct things and I knew that my clip would come."

Draper received curen from nan physio during nan 2nd group while De Minaur besides appeared to beryllium hampered by an injury.

The Briton said he called for nan trainer aft he "felt something" successful his limb connected group constituent successful nan first set, but he played down nan issue.

"I was small spot worried astatine nan clip but I played 2 sets connected it," he said.

"I did announcement his cognition was possibly a small spot subdued, he was carrying an wounded of immoderate sort, but I still felt for illustration it was a reliable match."

Despite appearing successful his first awesome quarter-final and playing connected nan 24,000-seater Arthur Ashe Stadium for nan first time, he said he did not consciousness tense erstwhile serving retired nan match.

His celebrations were besides understated, pinch Draper cautiously rearranging his belongings alternatively than being flooded pinch emotion.

"Honestly location weren't immoderate [nerves]," Draper told Sky Sports.

"Once I sewage complete nan second-set hurdle I felt confident."

Draper said his erstwhile acquisition playing connected Centre Court astatine Wimbledon - coupled pinch walks astir nan cavernous Ashe Arena early successful nan mornings earlier nan crowds get - helped him woody pinch nan occasion.

"Every greeting it has been a ritual of excavation because I practise truthful early," Draper said.

"I person gone and taken a look astir while it has been empty.

"I person been going retired not knowing I would play but taking a look because it is 1 of nan astir iconic stages successful nan sport.

"I deliberation that helped maine get utilized to it today."

Draper is now classed 25th successful nan world and became British number 1 successful June, earlier going connected to hit French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz astatine Queen's successful different cardinal infinitesimal successful his career.

Against De Minaur he remained remarkably composed during and aft nan lucifer fixed nan magnitude of nan occasion.

"He's maturing each nan time, he understands he can't spell retired and pain each his power and emotions early on," his coach James Trotman added.

"It's conscionable a motion that he's becoming much comfortable connected this shape and playing pinch nan champion players successful nan world."