US Open: Draper Survives Tough Test Against Gomez
Jack Draper overcomes Federico Agustin Gomez 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-2 in the first round of the US Open, advancing to the second round where he'll face Zizou Bergs.
Draper continued to apply pressure in the second set, breaking Gomez again and consolidating for a...
Jack Draper kicked off his US Open campaign with a thrilling win over Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez, prevailing 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-2 in the first round. Gomez, who impressed with his outstanding play, pushed Draper to his limits in a closely contested match that lasted around three hours.
The 22-year-old Briton, ranked 15th in the world, hadn't played a competitive singles match since his second-round exit at Wimbledon last month. Despite a shaky start, Draper showed resilience and adaptability to outmaneuver his opponent. Draper's victory sets him up for a second-round match against American favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis isn't confirmed yet, but if he advances, it would be a notable matchup.
“It's unbelievable to be out here in New York. I wasn't sure if I would make it here this year but we have done a great job with the team since Wimbledon to get myself back on court,” said Draper, who has been managing a left-arm injury.
”It wasn't my finest performance but credit to my opponent. He played some outstanding tennis. I'm looking forward to improving and hopefully getting better as the tournament goes on.”
Jack Draper, the fifth seed and semifinalist in New York last year, started his US Open campaign on a strong note. He demonstrated solid serving is evident, but he faced challenges maintaining control against world number 203, Federico Agustin Gomez. Despite playing mixed doubles with Jessica Pegula just a week prior, Draper showed resilience and adaptability.
Jack Draper gets the WIN at the @usopen 👊 @jackdraper0 fights into the second round on his singles return from injury#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/aWy4KfY50d
— LTA (@the_LTA) August 25, 2025
Draper's recent experience in mixed doubles, including matches against notable pairs like Casper Ruud and Iga Swiatek, and Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, seemed to have minimal impact on his singles performance. He effectively capitalized on Gomez's inconsistency, breaking to love on his first opportunity and wrapping up the opening set.
Draper's victory showcases his growing prowess on the court, following his impressive run to the semifinals in the 2024 US Open.
Draper continued to apply pressure in the second set, breaking Gomez again and consolidating for a 3-1 lead. He even had a chance to double break in the next game but couldn't capitalize. However, as Draper served for the set, his energy levels seemed to dip, and he faltered, committing a double fault that allowed Gomez to break back and level the set at 5-5.
Draper quickly regained his composure, using shouts of encouragement to motivate himself. He broke Gomez back to restore his advantage and then served out the set, showcasing his mental toughness and ability to bounce back from adversity.
Draper's struggles on serve continued in the third set, with another double fault allowing Gomez to break and take a 3-0 lead. However, Draper fought back to cancel out the break. Despite his efforts, the set was decided in a tiebreak, which Gomez won, keeping his hopes alive in the match.
In the fourth set, Draper regrouped and took control, forcing errors from Gomez and capitalizing on two breaks of serve to win the match. This victory advances Draper to the second round of the US Open, where he'll face Zizou Bergs, a Belgian tennis player ranked world No. 48. Bergs has had a notable career, reaching the third round of the Miami Open and winning several Challenger titles.
Key Highlights of the Match:
- Score: Draper won 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-2 against Gomez
- Duration: Approximately 3 hours
- Draper's Strategy: Focused on exploiting Gomez's inconsistency to take control of the match
- Next Match: Potential matchup against Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round.
What a way to close it out! 💥
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 25, 2025
In his first singles match since Wimbledon, Jack Draper edges past Gomez in a gritty four-setter! pic.twitter.com/5k2ctMJXCQ
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