Key events
Back on Ashe, Borges is on the board, trailing Medvedev 6-1 1-1.
On telly they’re extremely impressed with Draper’s performance, and at 22, it was just so mature. We know he can serve well and give it a whack, but constructing the points; going for winners at the right times; staying calm when under pressure; mark out someone who could go on to do plenty.
Medvedev has bagelled Borges to take set one and, as ever, he’s moving quietly through the draw.
Next on Armstrong: Caroline Wozniacki v Beatriz Haddad Maia (22).
Draper says it’s been a tough battle previously against Machac but today he played pretty well and his opponent was a little off. He lost at this stage last year so is glad to have improved on that, and before his first quarter, he just needs to keep going – he loves his team, loves the fans and loves the big stages.
Asked about Andy Murray, he says he misses him in the changing room and being next to his “stinky clothes and stinky shoes”, but if he has half the career, he’ll be happy.
Finally, asked about Machac’s short shorts, he says it’s important to be different and show not just your tennis style but your style in general. He’s meant to be really sound and every time I hear him speak that becomes more apparent.
Jack Draper (25) beats Tomas Machac 6-3 6-1 6-2
An absolutely brilliant performance from Draper, giving a very fine talent a proper going-over. He served well, worked his opportunities well, and punished Machac down the line off both wings – he finishes with a backhand winner. He’s yet to drop a set, lost his serve just once and knows he’s right there, but what’s noticeable is that his celebration is muted. He’s happy, but expects there to be more; next for him it’s either Jordan Thompson or Alex de Minaur (10).
Now then! Machac makes 15-40 but hooks a forehand just wide to lose his first break point, then a serve out wide and clean-up volley confiscate the second. An ace to set up match point follows, and this is serious stuff from Draper.
Machac forces Draper to serve for the match, and that’s no small achievement. He’ll be telling himself he can win but he knows it’s over and he’ll be desperate for this tousing to end. It can be lonely out there – as Nuno Borges is remembering too, down two breaks and 0-3 to Medvedev.
Coach Calv said this wouldn’t be close and Medvedev breaks Borges immediately, then consolidates for 2-1 in the first. As for Draper, he saves break point with a backhand volley then another with an ace – both on advantage – then yet another forehand winner down the line secures 6-3 6-1 5-1 and he’s a game away from the last eight. His ability to stay calm under pressure is extremely impressive.
Oh dear. On deuce, Machac sends down a double and second later he’s down two sets and two breaks. Draper has been so patient and consistent, not going for too much but if it’s there, doing so with zealous prejudice. He leads 6-3 6-1 4-1 and he’s almost in the quarters, a statement performance behind him.
On Ashe, Borges and Medvedev are away…
Draper consolidates for 2-0 in no time and at the risk of being previous, it’s hard not to look forward. Next for him if he wins is Thompson of De Minaur, both of whom are good, neither of whom are unbeatable, and once you’re in the last four who knows – never mind if you’re in the last four with his serve and power.
Ach, poor Machac has gone. Down break point, he swipes a forehand wide, and Draper is all over him at 6-3 6-1 1-0; if he can keep focused, he’ll be back in the changing room in less than half an hour while, at change of ends, Machac races over for a ruckus with his coach.
Marion said Draper would need to play pretty much perfectly to beat Machac and, so far, it looks like she was half-right: he is playing pretty much perfectly, but were he not he’d still probably be winning. He holds to 30 and now leads 6-3 6-1; this is brilliant from the British no 1 , who is still to drop a set in the competiton.
Meantime Draper breaks again for 6-3 5-1 and looks to be hitting his best form at the business end. I don’t see how Machac can win from here.
“Borges-Medvedev will be a grindfest” advises Coach Calv. “Borges is a great lad and a good player. But he’s no chance.”
Next on Ashe: Nuno Borges v Daniil Medvedev (5).
Pegula says she’s felt more pressure this year because she did so well in the lead-up. But she enjoys the pressure and says it’s great being American and getting the support, is hoping to bring her best tennis in the later rounds, and has worked really hard on her movement so she can get pulled out of court but not out of the point, keeping pressure on her opponent; with how the girls move, you have to get faster and stronger every day. She’s not yet made a grand slam semi, but “every match is every match” so the occasion doesn’t make loads of difference to her.
Jessica Pegula (6) beats Diana Shnaider (18) 6-4 6-2
Pegula is playing really well and could this be her time? Next for her it’s Iga Swiatek (1) or Liudmila Samsonova (16) and though she’ll be second-favourite if it’s the former, she’ll be quietly confident.
Pegula is a good player but lacks the weapons to beat the best ones on the biggest occasions. That’s why it took Caroline Wozniacki so long to win a major, which on the one hand shows how hard it is, the other that it’s possible. She makes 40-15, raising two match points…
Pegula breaks again and, as in set one, she’ll serve at 5-2 – only this time it’s for the match.
Pegula has consolidated to lead Shnaider 6-4 3-2, while Machac earns his first break point of the match having made advantage from 40-15; Draper saves himself with a big serve then consecutive forehand winners monstered into the corner secure his consolidation. He leads 6-3 3-0.
Down 0-30, Machac fights back to parity … then chucks down a double. But on break point, Draper opens the angle for that monstrous forehand down the line, only to go slightly wide. He’s gifted another go, though, by a backhand into the net, and though his return isn’t great, when Machac marches in to put away, he goes wide looking to make sure! Draper leads 6-3 2-0 and this is going perfectly for him so far.
A lovely touch from Draper, slicing a backhand drop, gives him 40-15 and from there he closes out for 6-3 1-0. He’s looking so strong from the back and Machac is struggling to make an impression.
Oh and as I type, Pegula breaks to lead 6-4 2-1. Shnaider is asking plenty of questions, but doesn’t quite have the consistency or brilliance to impose herself.
I’ll level with you, after the first two games I wondered if Machac had Draper’s number. Since then, though, it’s been one-way traffic and at 15-40, the Brit has two set points. But both are saved, but then two unforced and kind of wild errors from Machac hand over the first set, Draper leading 6-3 and playing nicely, ceding few errors and taking on winners when appropriate.
Down 0-15, Draper punishes a forehand winner down the line; his hitting partner said he was practising those shots earlier today and I guess it makes sense because if he goes cross, he makes it easier for Machac, who moves and hits beautifully, to attack the space. He consolidates to 30, racing in to put away a backhand, and looks pretty decent at 5-3. Back on Ashe, meanwhile – and I’d be vexed if I’d paid to be there to see matches less obviously interesting than those on Armstrong – Pegula leads 6-4 1-1.
Now then. Draper makes 15-30 then Machac misses from on top of the net – I didn’t see that coming – and when he goes long off the forehand, he cedes the first break! I thought it’d take more but Draper leads 4-3 ion the first.
It doesn’t come easily and she has to survive a break-back point to do it – with a brave backhand winner cross-court – but Pegula eventually serves out a 6-4 first set.
Here’s a heartwarming yarn for the sneaker heads among youse: the other day, Draper, who now trails 1-2, was wearing a pair of the original Agassi Nikes which have just been released limited edition, so Coach Calv complimented them. Next day, Draper – who seals a comfy hold with an ace as I type – had got him a pair.
By the way, Harriet Dart and her partner Diane Parry have been beaten in the women’s doubles by Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova.
Snaider retrieves one break then holds for 4-5, forcing Pegula to serve for the set a second time. Meanwhile, Draper holds through advantage – and has to play some tremendous tennis so to do. This looks like it could be a seriously sapping, intense contest.