Britain's number one tennis players experienced contrasting fortunes at the US Open on Thursday. Jack Draper eased into the third round with a straight-sets victory over Facundo Díaz Acosta, while Katie Boulter suffered a disappointing defeat to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
Boulter, the 31st seed, lost 7-5, 7-5 to the 74th-ranked Spaniard. The British player held a set point at 5-4 but missed a routine forehand, then lost three consecutive games. Despite fighting back from 1-5 down in the second set, she paid for inconsistency in key moments. Boulter expressed frustration at her passive approach, saying she should have stamped her authority and been the aggressor.
Draper, the 25th seed, won 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the third round without dropping a set. He praised his movement and aggression, and noted the courts suit his left-handed game. Draper could face former champion Carlos Alcaraz in the next round, after Alcaraz plays Botic van de Zandschulp.
Dan Evans also advanced, beating Mariano Navone 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. Two days earlier, Evans had won the longest match in US Open history, recovering from 0-4 down in the fifth set to defeat Karen Khachanov after five hours 35 minutes. Evans said he felt extra pressure to win after such a gruelling encounter and was pleased to focus well. He will next face 10th seed Alex De Minaur.
