British tennis sensation Jack Draper's US Open journey has come to a sudden and disappointing end, following a shock first-round exit in the mixed doubles competition. The 22-year-old, partnering with American former champion Sloane Stephens, was unable to find his rhythm against the formidable British-American duo of Jamie Murray and Jessica Pegula.
The highly-anticipated match on Court 17 ended in a straight-sets defeat for Draper and Stephens, with the final score reading 6-2, 6-3 in favour of their opponents. The loss marks a bitter conclusion to Draper's Flushing Meadows campaign, which had already seen him bow out of the men's singles in the opening round.
A Tough Day on Court
From the outset, the new pairing of Draper and Stephens struggled to gel against the experienced and tactical play of Murray and Pegula. The British-American combination proved too strong, dominating the rallies and capitalising on every opportunity.
The defeat is particularly frustrating for Draper, who had expressed his excitement about the partnership just days before. The young Brit had hoped that the mixed doubles would provide valuable experience and match practice, but it was not to be.
Looking Ahead
Despite this setback, Draper's focus now shifts to the future. The talented southpaw is expected to return to the ATP Tour with a point to prove, using this experience as fuel for his continued development on the professional circuit.
For now, the US Open continues without its last British singles hope, as the tournament moves into its exciting latter stages.
