Jack Draper compared to Emma Raducanu as talkSPORT host blown away by US Open hero
Jack Draper has earned himself a comparison to former US Open champion Emma Raducanu for his brave style of play.
And the 22-year-old Brit will be hoping that is not the only thing he has in common with Raducanu by the time the tournament is over.
5
Raducanu stunned the world back in 2021 when she stormed to victory in the US Open at the age of just 18.
And now her compatriot Draper will have his own shot at glory out in New York.
The world number 25 has made it through to the semi-final of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career after an impressive run.
He defeated 10th seed Alex de Minaur in straight sets in the quarter final in a result which also made him the first British male player to reach the final four at the US Open since Andy Murray did so back in 2012.
Read More on Jack Draper
And of course, that year Murray went on to win the whole tournament too.
If Draper is to emulate the Scot's achievement, he will now have to overcome his biggest challenge yet as he comes up against world number one Jannik Sinner on Friday 6 September for a place in the final.
But one person who believes who does have what it takes is none other than talkSPORT host Simon Jordan.
While the world number one will undoubtedly be a big challenge for the young Brit, Jordan admitted he thinks it is by no means an impossible ask.
Most read in Sport
"I think it's difficult because Sinner is a remarkable player," said Jordan. "But it's not beyond (Draper). He's playing at the highest level. He's got the shots. He's got the variety. He's got a brilliant serve. He's got the confidence up. I think it's going to be a great game.
"Jannik Sinner is number one in the world, and he's number one in the world for a reason. And he's a number one in the world that knows about Grand Slams, knows what it's like to play in these big matches.
5
5
"Jack is finding his feet. But if you look at the way he speaks, the manner that he conducts himself, he's got great presence. He's a big boy. He's as handsome as hell. He's got the world in front of him, hasn't he? And he's a great tennis player."
And that was not the only observation Jordan has made of Draper during the tournament.
The former Crystal Palace owner also discussed how his style of play had put him in mind of Raducanu and the way she had played during her Grand Slam-winning campaign."
Brutal moment in US Open crowd caught on camera as fan goes to buy woman a drink but is beaten to it by rival fan
"Look at the shots," he explained. "(Draper) hits the shots similar to the way Raducanu was hitting them when she won the US Open, which is that he goes for his shots.
"He hits the lines and he hits hard. And some of the shots that he hit were stunning shots. His confidence level is high."
And that is not the only advantage that Draper has got in his corner, as Jordan praised the capable and supportive team that the youngster had behind him.
"He's got someone in his corner, James Trotman, who's a brilliant coach and the relationship, it's an established relationship," Jordan explained. "It's one based upon sensible guidance and advice.
5
5
"If you listen to the coaching that the fellow gives him, it's all about positive reinforcement. It's not about a player running over to the coaching area screaming about what's happening on the court.
"It's about what can I do next, about the positivity of the outcomes that I need to affect. So I think he's got that in his corner.
"I think (the fact that) Jack comes from the family that he does come from - his father was the head of the LTA, so he's come from a tennis family - so he gets a different dynamic of the sport entirely.
Read More on talkSPORT
"But also I think he's overcome a lot of adversity. The big thing with Jack Draper, as Marcus Buckland was talking about the other day, is that his body has constantly broken down.
"So he's brought a lot of people in around him to be able to give him an opportunity to be able to compete on the tour. And what you're seeing is now a different grounded individual. He's got the world in front of him."
Topics