US Open 2023: Four Brits into third round for second consecutive year
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Katie Boulter, Jack Draper, Cam Norrie and Dan Evans made it four Brits into the third round at the US Open for the second year in a row.
It’s also the seventh time since 2012 that Great Britain have had a player in the round of 32 in both the men’s and women’s singles draws.
US Open second round results
- Katie Boulter (GBR) won vs Yafan Wang (CHN) 5-7, 6-1, 6-4
- Jack Draper (GBR) won vs Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 6-2, 6-4, 7-5
- Cam Norrie (GBR) won vs Hsiou Hsu (TWN) 7-5, 6-4, 6-4
- Dan Evans (GBR) won vs Botic van de Zandschlup (NED) 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3
- Andy Murray (GBR) lost vs Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 6-3, 6-4, 6-1
- Jodie Burrage (GBR) lost vs Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2
Boulter – who clinched her first main draw win on Tuesday – moved on to set up a third round clash with 21-year-old American Peyton Stearns after coming from a set behind to defeat Yafan Wang 5-7, 6-1, 6-4.
The win means that Boulter equals her career-best Grand Slam performance, having made the third round at Wimbledon in each of the last two seasons.
"I'm super happy, I'm really proud of myself, Boulter said. “I had to dig really deep. I had to battle and go for it at the same time. Tactically, I was trying to be very aggressive, I got a bit tight in the first set and managed to loosen up in the second.
"I found ways to win points and it made it a little bit easier for me.”
Draper took one of the upsets of the day in impressive fashion as the 21-year-old knocked out 17th seed and former Miami Open champion Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 in just two hours and nine minutes.
The young Brit has now made the third round in both of his appearances at Flushing Meadows. Despite coming into this year’s tournament with injury concerns, Draper will have the opportunity to make a first Grand Slam fourth round up against Michael Mmoh, who defeated John Isner in five sets.
“I was talking to my coach yesterday, and we were saying I think this year I am a much more complete player than I was even last year,” Draper said. “I'm trying to play the right way, which is to be more aggressive and come forward more.
“I feel physically good. I haven't had match exposure for a long time, so I'm still sort of managing my body. Obviously it's a Grand Slam, as well. You have to push your body and know that if you need to go four or five sets, you need to be ready. And I was today. I feel good.”
British No.1 and 16th seed Norrie is still yet to drop a set in New York this year as he clinched a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 win over Yu Hsiou-Hsu.
Norrie is now into the round of 32 for the third time in his career and another win could set up a fourth round match-up with Carlos Alcaraz or fellow Brit, Evans.
“I was really happy with how I played the big points and how I moved today,” he said. “I’ve played two guys where I’ve had to hit a lot of balls which is really good for me. I was really pleased with how I served today.”
Meanwhile, British No.2 Evans capped off an other impressive day for the Brits in New York after his comeback victory over Botic Van De Zandschulp 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.
The 33-year-old has now reached the last 32 for the sixth time in seven appearances at the US Open. His second round victory now sets up a mouthwatering clash against top seed and defending champion Alcaraz.
"It took a bit of time to get myself in the match and I played pretty sensible tennis," Evans said. "I wouldn't say it was my best match level-wise but I did what I had to do".
However, day four at Flushing Meadows saw defeats for Andy Murray and Jodie Burrage. Murray was beaten by former world No.3 Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 6-4, 6-1, while Burrage – who is supported by the Pro Scholarship Programme – lost to world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2, just days after her debut victory in New York.
