Draper ousts second seed Hurkacz at Japan Open

Britain's US Open semifinalist Jack Draper knocked out Polish No 2 seed Hubert Hurkacz 6-6, 6-4 to move into the Japan Open quarterfinals on Friday.

The 22-year-old Draper earlier this month became the first British man to make the US Open last four since Andy Murray won the title 12 years ago, but found his path to the final blocked by eventual champion Jannik Sinner.

That @jackdraper0 backhand 🤌@japanopentennis | #kinoshitajotennis pic.twitter.com/oCdBUWcpzI

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 27, 2024

Draper has picked up where he left off in Tokyo, beating Hurkacz in 1hr, 24min to set up a quarterfinal against either American Brandon Nakashima or France's Ugo Humbert.

Hurkacz's exit means only three of the eight seeded players remain at the Japan Open.

No 1 Taylor Fritz, No 3 Casper Ruud, No 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas and No 7 Frances Tiafoe all lost in the first round.

Draper, who is ranked 20th in the world, is unseeded in Tokyo.

Quarterfinal bound ✈️@jackdraper0 defeats Hurkacz 6-4 6-4 to reach the final eight for the 8th time this season.@japanopentennis | #kinoshitajotennis pic.twitter.com/GCt7dEpGsa

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 27, 2024

He has come back from multiple shoulder injuries and was ranked outside the top 100 when he played at the Japan Open last year.