Nick Kyrgios believes Jack Draper will lose to Alex de Minaur in their US Open quarter-final clash later today.
All eyes will be on the 22-year-old when he steps out at the Arthur Ashe Stadium as he bids to become the third Briton to win the competition this century.
Andy Murray was the first, with the former world No 1 beating Novak Djokovic to claim his first Grand Slam back in 2022.
And Emma Raducanu was the second, with the 21-year-old getting the better of Canada’s Leylah Fernandez just three years ago.
US Open: Jack Draper is preparing for his quarter-final clash with Alex de Minaur tonight
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Kyrgios, writing on X, has delivered his prediction for today’s quarter-final clash.
He feels De Minaur, who has beaten Draper three times in the past, will be too strong for the Briton.
“De Minaur gets over Draper in my opinion. Matches up really well,” he wrote.
Draper has been in imperious form at the US Open so far, with the youngster yet to drop a single set.
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He was too strong for Zhang Zhizhen in round one and has since proceeded to beat Facundo Daiz, Botic van de Zandschulp and Tomas Machac.
His performance against Machac was particularly impressive on Monday, with Draper winning 6-3, 6-1, 6-2.
Speaking after that win, Draper said he was happy to make the quarter-finals.
He also felt he played at a ‘decent level’ and was proud to make it further than last year, too.
“I thought the last few times it’s been a really tough battle,” he said.
“Today, I thought I played a decent level. I thought he was maybe a little bit off his best.
“But I had to stay strong in the points and, you know, it’s just amazing to play out here at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
“I lost here last year in the same round so it’s nice to come back here and do better this year.”
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US Open: Nick Kyrgios is expecting Jack Draper to lose to Alex de Minaur
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Draper also emotionally revealed he considered retiring from tennis at one point, too.
He added: “I’ve been through a lot the last few years.
“With injuries, there were times when I was going to stop playing tennis.
“I remember those moments all the time and they make new experiences easier for me.
US Open: Alex de Minaur has beaten Jack Draper three times in the past ahead of their quarter-final showdown
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“I feel confident in myself and I’ve got amazing people around me to support me and show me the way.
“I’ve always been lucky throughout my years to have amazing coaches and they have all been outstanding with me. As a player and a person, I wouldn’t be here without them.
“Justin Sherring, Ryan Jones and my coach now James Trotman. Everyone wants the best for me. I know they have my best interests at heart and that’s tough to find in professional sport because there are a lot of people out there who are there for themselves.
“As an athlete playing an individual sport and with how relentless tennis is emotionally, it’s so important to have amazing people around you.”