Draper came out swinging in the first set against Shelton, mirroring his stellar serving display from his fourth-round triumph over Taylor Fritz. He barely gave up any ground, conceding just three points on his serve, and a single break was all he needed to clinch the set.
But the crowd, clearly backing Shelton, soon found its voice. Shelton was on fire, unleashing powerful groundstrokes to snag the first three games of the second set. Draper, visibly frustrated, ended up with a warning for unsportsmanlike behavior after launching a ball into the stands during the third game. Nonetheless, he quickly regained his focus to bring the set back on even terms.
The turning point arrived when Shelton double-faulted, handing Draper the opportunity to serve his way into the semi-finals. Though he stumbled initially, going down 0-30, he rallied impressively, taking the next four points to seal his victory.
Reflecting on the match, Draper shared with BBC Sport, “It felt like the conditions favored me a bit more. His serve could’ve hit the stratosphere if it were livelier, but the wind and sluggish conditions were a challenge for us both.”
Looking ahead, Draper doesn’t foresee any similar benefits in his upcoming clash with Alcaraz. “I reckon these courts really play to his strengths,” he remarked. “He gets to showcase all his skills, really hunting for those forehands. I believe the conditions here suit him perfectly, although, to be fair, he shines in nearly any situation.”
