In the other game at Arthur Ashe Stadium Karolina Muchova overcame a “virus” and defeated the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia.
The grueling nature of the five-round match on New York’s hard courts became clear as all four players struggled with injury or illness, leading to delays in both matches.
Despite the setbacks, Draper maintained his impressive form and remained the only player in the tournament not to drop a set.
“I think I played a solid game. I feel fitter than I have in a long time and I think that’s what Alex has brought me in the past,” Draper was quoted by Reuters in his on-court interview. “I also think he was struggling a little bit with something today which maybe helped me.”
De Minaur struggled to find his rhythm from the start and made numerous unforced errors, while Draper’s serve proved effective and led to an early break that dictated the course of the match.
The second set was briefly halted as both players had injury concerns. De Minaur, who had previously withdrawn from Wimbledon due to a hip injury, appeared to be moving around uncomfortably, while Draper needed time out to have his right thigh bandaged.
After the resumption, De Minaur broke to level the set at 4-4, but Draper responded with a break in the 11th game and extended his lead to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
In the third set, Draper’s impressive power and precision took their toll on De Minaur, ultimately leading to his fourth Grand Slam quarterfinal loss of his career.
“The way he can cover a lot of ground as a left-hander and really move you around the field takes its toll on your body. The many games also take their toll,” said De Minaur.
Muchova, who was competing in only her sixth tournament since suffering a wrist injury at the 2023 US Open, advanced to the semifinals of the event for the second consecutive year by defeating Haddad Maia 6-1, 6-4 in early play of the day.
Muchova showed excellent form in the first set and quickly built a 4-0 lead with a double break. She held her serve until zero and although Haddad Maia got on the scoreboard, Muchova closed the set with her own serve.
Haddad Maia’s performance improved in the second set, with both players exchanging breaks. Muchova, who was being treated by a physiotherapist and doctor at her chair, held her serve to reach 5-3. She took advantage of new balls and sealed the victory with an ace on serve.
“I think I played well in the crucial points. That is, when I had a break point or served for a game, I always hit a good shot, I think,” Muchova said. “I’m glad I managed to make it in two sets again.”
“I’m fighting a bit of a virus. I’m feeling a bit sick. I hope it didn’t bother anyone,” she said.
Haddad Maia, the first Brazilian to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open since Maria Bueno in 1968, had to be treated for medical reasons towards the end of her match as she was apparently having difficulty breathing.
“In the night session, top seed Iga Swiatek will attempt to reach her seventh Grand Slam semifinal when she faces sixth-seeded American Jessica Pegula, who has never made it past a Grand Slam quarterfinal in six attempts.”
