Evans Runs Out of Steam at the US Open 2024
In an intense showdown at the US Open 2024, Great Britain’s resilient marathon man, Dan Evans, unfortunately ran out of steam in a third-round defeat against Australia’s Alex de Minaur. Meanwhile, Jack Draper made waves by advancing to the last 16 with a commanding victory over Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp.
Draper Takes Advantage
Draper’s draw opened up significantly after Carlos Alcaraz’s surprising defeat to Van de Zandschulp in the previous round. Seizing the opportunity, the British number one delivered a remarkable performance, winning 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
Evans, however, faced disappointment after his grueling first-round win over Karen Khachanov—which set the record for the longest match in US Open history—caught up with him. After leveling the match at one set all, the 34-year-old’s energy waned, prompting a medical timeout as de Minaur seized control, ultimately winning 6-3, 6-7(4-7), 6-0, 6-0.
A Respectful Showdown
“I’m not one to retire unless I can’t walk. I want to give Alex the win—I think he deserves it,” Evans acknowledged in a post-match interview with BBC. De Minaur reciprocated the sentiment, highlighting Evans as “the ultimate competitor” for fighting through pain. “He could have easily pulled out, but he stayed out there and tried his best. I really appreciate it,” he said.
Looking Ahead: Draper’s Path
Next up for de Minaur is fellow Australian Jordan Thompson in the fourth round. A potential showdown with 25th seed Draper looms on the horizon if he can overcome Tomas Machac to reach the quarter-finals—an exhilarating prospect for the Brit.
Before his remarkable performance at the US Open, Evans had struggled on the ATP Tour, failing to win consecutive matches this year. After the monumental effort against Khachanov, Evans faced Van de Zandschulp on Louis Armstrong Stadium, where fatigue ultimately overshadowed his efforts.
Evocations of Fatigue
Evans fought valiantly but appeared weary while serving for the second set after breaking at 4-4. Despite winning the subsequent tie-break, the exertion drained him, leading to medical assistance due to hip issues. As the crowd’s energy shifted, de Minaur sped through the fourth set in just 18 minutes, dropping only two points.
“The irony of it [being booed] is that I was staying on the court for them, but I’ve had worse, I’ll survive,” Evans reflected. Nevertheless, many fans paid tribute to his historic achievement by leaving the stadium with a standing ovation.
“I played good tennis today, and unfortunately my hip was problematic in the end, but I leave with fond memories of New York for another year,” Evans graciously stated.
Draper’s Newfound Confidence
On the flip side, Draper, now ranked a career-high 25th in the world, showcased poise and determination under tough conditions at Flushing Meadows. Despite the heat, he managed to stay cool and collected, using ice packs and air conditioning during changeovers.
After a string of narrow defeats earlier in the year, Draper aimed to adopt a more aggressive approach against Van de Zandschulp—who struggled with 38 unforced errors—which ultimately led to a routine victory. “I feel very different now; I have so much more confidence,” Draper shared, reflecting on his journey from injury woes to newfound stability.
With the absence of 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, and Alcaraz also out of the picture, Draper has a golden opportunity to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final.
Conclusion
As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on Draper as he seeks to capitalize on this chance. As for Evans, his journey at the US Open may have concluded, but his resilience and grit will resonate with fans long after the matches end.
If you want, you can check out the news where I found it.
Yours truly, Mia