Jack Draper in action at the 2024 US Open (AFP)
The British player hailed Murray, the former world number one and 2012 US Open champion, who retired from the sport following the Paris Olympics.
Jack Draper became the first British man since Andy Murray in 2016 to reach the quarter-finals by seeing off Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-1, 6-2.
The 22-year-old left-hander came through 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 and has yet to drop a set at the tournament where he made his breakthrough in 2023 by reaching the fourth round.
Draper has only dropped served once over his four matches, winning 47 of 48 service games and saving 20 of 21 break points.
“I lost on Louis Armstrong Stadium in the same round last year so it was nice to come back and do better this year,” said Draper.
The British player hailed Murray, the former world number one and 2012 US Open champion, who retired from the sport following the Paris Olympics.
“He’s a legend and an icon and if I have half the career that he had I will be a happy man,” he said.
The 25th seed goes on to face Alex de Minaur next.
Meamwhile, the 10th seeded De Minaur won an all-Australian battle with Jordan Thompson 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Four-time French Open winner Swiatek, the 2022 champion in New York, celebraated her 100th Grand Slam match by cantering to a 6-4, 6-1 win over 16th-ranked Samsonova.
The Pole will take on American sixth seed Jessica Pegula for a place in the semi-finals.
“There will be some long rallies and intense hitting,” said Swiatek of facing Pegula who she also beat in the quarter-finals on her way to the 2022 title.
US sixth seed Pegula made the last-eight for the second time with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Russia’s Diana Shnaider.
Beatriz Haddad Maia became the first Brazilian woman to reach the quarter-finals since Maria Bueno in 1968 when she defeated 2014 runner-up Caroline Wozniacki.
The 22nd-ranked left-hander converted a third match point to defeat the former world number one 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
She will next face 2023 semi-finalist Karolina Muchova who knocked out French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini, the fifth seed, 6-3, 6-3.
Muchova, ranked at 52, who only returned to the tour in June after 10 months out with a wrist injury, has yet to drop a set and knocked out two-time champion Naomi Osaka in the second round.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP)
Read More: US Open 2024: Great Britain’s Jack Draper Emulates ‘Icon’ Andy Murray, Makes Quarterfinals –
