US Open 2023: Jack Draper retires injured at Winston-Salem warm-up event
Britain’s Jack Draper suffers another injury scare as he retires after losing the opening set in his second-round match at the Winston-Salem Open.
Britain’s Jack Draper suffers another injury scare as he retires after losing the opening set in his second-round match at the Winston-Salem Open.
Rising American stars Brandon Nakashima and Alex Michelsen battled through tough matches on Tuesday to reach the third round of the Winston-Salem Open.
Nakashima, the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion, clawed past a contender for this year’s 21-and-under season finale, seventh seed Arthur Fils, 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 6-2 after two hours and 38 minutes.
“It was a very, very, very tough match from the beginning. We know each other pretty well, so we knew it was going to be a good battle for sure,” Nakashima said in his on-court interview. “In the beginning of the first set, both of us were serving pretty well and then [I played] a couple of loose points in the tie-break.
“But I tried to stay focussed and I was able to pull it out in the second set. It was again super tight. But then in the third set I was just trying to stay focussed out there. I was just trying to make him play, not trying to give anything for free and I’m happy that it ended my way.”
The 22-year-old will next play former World No. 7 Richard Gasquet in a generational clash.
Michelsen, who last month reached his first ATP Tour final in Newport, continued his charge towards a Top 100 breakthrough by defeating Austrian Sebastian Ofner 7-6(4), 7-5. The Californian, who turns 19 on Friday, is already at No. 127 in the Pepperstone ATP LIve Rankings.
“He came out firing, hitting some huge balls,” said Michelsen, who next faces last year’s finalist, Serbian Laslo Djere. “I was thinking ‘This guy is unbelievable’. Then he settled down a bit and the match was a little up and down. I’m just glad I got through.
“If you would have told me that I’d get a minimum three matches in before the US Open I would have taken it. Getting some good match practice in the humidity is huge for me.”
Michelsen is also a contender for the Next Gen ATP Finals, currently in seventh place in the Pepperstone ATP Live Next Gen Race.
Australian Max Purcell, who reached the quarter-finals last week at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, maintained his good form with a 6-4, 6-1 win over lucky loser Andrey Kuznetsov. Purcell is up to No. 45 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. He first cracked the Top 100 in March.
Britain’s Harriet Dart remains in the hunt for a place in the US Open main draw after a gutsy comeback win in the first round of qualifying.
The fourth and final Grand Slam of the season will see reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz and three-time winner Novak Djokovic lead the field at the US Open.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the tournament in New York:
The 2023 US Open will be held from 28 August – 10 September. The hard-court Grand Slam tournament, established in 1881, will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, United States. The tournament director is Stacey Allaster.
The US Open will feature stars including Alcaraz, 23-time major champion Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune and more..
The US Open singles draw will be made Thursday, 24 August at 12 p.m. The doubles draw will be made Sunday, 27 August at 12 p.m.
*Qualifying: Tuesday, 22 August – Friday, 25 August at 11 a.m.
*Main Draw: Monday, 28 August – Sunday, 10 September at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
*Doubles Final: Friday, 8 September, time TBD.
*Singles Final: Sunday, 10 September at 4:00 p.m.
View On Official Website
SINGLES
Winner: $3,000,000 / 2,000 points
Finalist: $1,500,000 / 1,200 points
Semi-finalist: $775,000 / 720 points
Quarter-finalist: $455,000 / 360 points
Fourth Round: $284,000 / 180 points
Third Round: $191,000 / 90 points
Second Round: $123,000 / 45 points
First Round: $81,500 / 10 points
DOUBLES ($ per team)
Winner: $700,000 / 2,000 points
Finalist: $350,000 / 1,200 points
Semi-finalist: $180,000 / 720 points
Quarter-finalist: $100,000 / 360 points
Third Round: $58,000 / 180 points
Second Round: $36,800 / 90 points
First Round: $22,000 / 0 points
US Open Broadcast Schedule
Social
Hashtag: #USOpen
Facebook: @usopentennis
Twitter: @usopen
Instagram: @usopen
Carlos Alcaraz won the 2022 US Open title with a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3 victory against Casper Ruud in the championship match. Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury lifted the doubles trophy for the second straight year, defeating Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski 7-6(4), 7-5 in the final.
Most Titles, Singles: Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras (5)
Most Titles, Doubles: Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Daniel Nestor (5)
Oldest Champion: Ken Rosewall, 35, in 1970
Youngest Champion: Pete Sampras, 19, in 1990
Highest-Ranked Champion: No. 1 Jimmy Connors in 1974, 1976, 1978, John McEnroe in 1981, 1984, Ivan Lendl in 1986-87, Pete Sampras in 1996, Roger Federer in 2004-07, Rafael Nadal in 2010, 2017, Novak Djokovic in 2011, 2015
Lowest-Ranked Champion: No. 20 Andre Agassi in 1994
Last Home Champion: Andy Roddick in 2003
Most Match Wins: Jimmy Connors (98)
View Who Is Playing, Past Champions, Seeds, Points & Prize Money Breakdown
The ATP has announced Baseline, a transformative financial security programme for ATP players set to launch in 2024 as part of a three-year trial. This pioneering initiative marks a major first in the history of the ATP Tour.
Comprised of three key pillars, Baseline represents a significant step towards ensuring a greater number of players can make a sustainable living from the sport.
The first pillar of the programme is Guaranteed Base Earnings, which guarantees minimum income levels for the Top 250-ranked singles players each season. In case a player’s prize money earnings finishes below the guaranteed threshold, the ATP will step in to cover the shortfall. For the 2024 season, these levels are $300,000 (Top 100), $150,000 (101-175) and $75,000 (176-250). This assurance will empower players to plan their seasons with greater certainty, focus on their game and invest in their teams. This includes covering the expenses of coaches and personal physios, as well as travel.
The second pillar focuses on Injury Protection, providing support to players who play fewer than nine ATP Tour and Challenger Tour events in a season due to injury. This progressive initiative includes thresholds set at $200,000 (Top 100), $100,000 (101-175) and $50,000 (176-250) in 2024. This is designed to provide financial security during difficult periods, allowing players to focus on recovery and make a successful return to the game.
The third pillar, Newcomer Investment, provides an additional boost to up-and-coming players as they push on in their professional tennis journey. These rising stars will have access to $200,000 of funding upon breaking into the Top 125 for the first time, paid in advance of the following season and offset against prize money earnings. This will facilitate players’ investment into their teams and resources as they break onto the ATP Tour.
“We’re beyond excited to introduce Baseline,” said Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman. “This initiative is a complete shift in the way tennis approaches player finances. It represents our commitment to the players and their careers – fostering an environment where they can thrive and elevate the sport. It is also just the start of what we hope to achieve. Our ambition is to expand this game-changing initiative in the years to come.”
“Being a professional tennis player comes with incredible rewards, but it’s also a challenging journey, especially for those starting their careers,” said Grigor Dimitrov, ATP Player Advisory Council Member. “Baseline is a game-changer. Knowing that we have a safety net through the minimum guarantee and injury protection pillars gives us peace of mind, allowing us to focus on our game and strive for success. This truly shows the ATP’s commitment to the players and the future of our sport.”
Between 30 and 45 players are expected to receive financial support through Baseline each season, with eligibility determined based on a range of criteria. This includes a player’s ranking, career prize money earnings, and number of events played. The 2024-26 trial period will serve as an initial proof of concept, with potential to expand funding in future.
Californian lefty Omni Kumar capitalised on his lucky loser entry into the main draw of the Winston-Salem Open when he upset French World No. 73 Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 7-6(3) Monday night.
The 21-year-old came into the tournament without even a win an ATP Challenger Tour level to his name. He lost in the final round of qualifying to Illya Marchenko but came into the main draw Monday following the withdrawal of former US Open champion Dominic Thiem due to gastro.
World No. 385 Kumar, who on his backhand side use two hands on his backswing but releases his right hand at the point of contact ala Fabrice Santoro, said that he was stunned to claim an ATP Tour win before tasting success at the Challenger level.
“It’s surreal. It hasn’t even sunk in yet. I played the best tennis of my life and the crowd was behind me,” said Kumar, who has a heavy, wristy forehand and a lot of pop on his serve, despite being listed at a generous 5′ 9” in height.
“Right as I went on to practise today I got the text that I was in. I’m sorry that Thiem pulled out but I was really hyped and I had nothing to lose so I came onto the court with that.
“I’ve seen Arthur play a lot on TV and Tennis TV highlights. He’s got an insane game, so much power. Today everything clicked for me.”
Kumar on Tuesday will face eighth seed Botic van de Zandschulp.
Michael Mmoh fired 10 aces in a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win over qualifier Darian King to set a second-round meeting with fellow American and 13th seed Marcos Giron.
“It was mental resilience, staying tough,” Mmoh said of the key to his victory, his 10th of the year. “I came out really hot and played well in the first set before having a loose game in the second when he turned things around.
“First set I thought I served exceptional and in the third set I felt like it got me through some tough moments, a lot of tight service games. That was a big part of the reason I won today.”
Mmoh reached the third round at the ATP 500 in Washington earlier this month.
Richard Gasquet picked up the 601st win of his distinguished career when he defeated Switzerland’s World No. 87 Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-4, 6-4.
The 37-year-old Frenchman collected his first win of the North American hard-court swing, having lost to Adrian Mannarino in the first round of Cincinnati last week.
Seeded 12th, Gasquet faces a difficult third-round match against the winner of 19-year-old countryman Arthur Fils, seeded seventh, and Brandon Nakashima.
Sixth-seeded Argentine Sebastian Baez rallied from a set down to defeat Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and will next meet the winner of Australian ninth seed Aleksandar Vukic and #NextGenATP Frenchman Luca Van Assche.
Kevin Anderson, the 2017 finalist, headlines the US Open qualifying draw this week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre at Flushing Meadows.
The two-time major finalist will begin his attempt to reach the main draw against Oleksii Krutykh. The South African, who returned from retirement last month in Newport, is competing in major qualifying for the first time since the 2010 US Open.
The former World No. 5 is not the only star playing qualifying in New York. The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals runner-up, David Goffin, Fabio Fognini, Benoit Paire and Maxime Cressy are among the players who are also in the field.
Another competitor to watch is John Millman, who has not played a tournament since the Cherbourg ATP Challenger Tour event in February. The Australian stunned Roger Federer at the US Open in 2018 en route to the quarter-finals.
The top qualifying seed is Jaume Munar and the second seed is Cristian Grain. #NextGenATP players competing in qualifying include Arthur Cazaux, Hamad Medjedovic, Dominic Stricker and Shang Juncheng.
Did you miss the unforgettable Western & Southern Open final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz?
Djokovic battled past Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) in a gruelling three-hour, 49-minute epic to claim his third crown at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament. The Serbian extended his record to 39 Masters 1000 titles by triumphing in the longest best-of-three final in ATP Tour history (since 1990).
Djokovic Saves MP, Stuns Alcaraz For Cincinnati Title
The 36-year-old trailed by a set and a break and saved championship point at 5/6 in the second-set tie-break before rallying for a memorable victory. In doing so, he levelled his budding Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry with Alcaraz at 2-2.
Watch extended match highlights of the incredible Cincinnati classic final above.
Britain’s Jack Draper marks his return to the ATP Tour with a straightforward win over Nuno Borges at the Winston-Salem Open.
Briton Jack Draper made a successful return to ATP Tour action on Monday when he defeated Portugal’s Nuno Borges 6-3, 6-1 to reach the second round of the Winston-Salem Open. It was his first tour-level match since Roland Garros due to a shoulder injury.
“I played a really clean match. The guy is a really good player, so is everyone on this level,” Draper said. “It’s good to be back here in Winston. I had amazing memories here last year, so I’m happy to be back.”
One year ago, Draper defeated Fabio Fognini and Dominic Thiem en route to the Winston-Salem quarter-finals. Against Borges he hit 11 aces and did not face a break point.
“I think my serve was amazing today. I kept on putting pressure on him on my return games,” Draper said. “Last week [when I returned on the ATP Challenger Tour], I wasn’t too sharp when I first started back playing. But hopefully I can build on this performance and show you guys some good tennis all week.”
Australian Max Purcell, who reached the quarter-finals in Cincinnati, maintained his good form with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over 2018 Roland Garros semi-finalist Marco Cecchinato. Purcell is pursuing his first ATP Tour singles title and is at a career-high No. 47 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.
Other straight-sets winners were Marton Fucsovics, who ousted Zhang Zhizhen 6-4, 6-2, and lucky loser Omni Kumar, who earned his first tour-level win with a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory over Arthur Rinderknech.
Facundo Diaz Acosta rallied past Quentin Halys 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 and Rinky Hijikata defeated Illya Marchenko 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Dominik Koepfer clawed past Constant Lestienne 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(8) and Michael Mmoh found a way past Darian King 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
