Tennis-Draper defies odds as British old guard exit U.S. Open early

Sep 2, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA; Jack Draper of Great Britain plays against Michael Mmoh of the United States on day six of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Young Jack Draper has emerged as the unlikely hero of British men's tennis at the U.S. Open this week, reaching the fourth round of the year's final major as established names from his country crashed out.

The 21-year-old arrived in New York unsure if he could even complete one match after suffering a small tear in his shoulder that forced him to retire from the Winston-Salem tune-up event last week, a grim sign after an already injury-plagued season.