Draper, in his inaugural fourth-round match at a Grand Slam, displayed a remarkable comeback from injury at Flushing Meadows but was ultimately defeated by Rublev with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, in a contest lasting two hours and 45 minutes.
Rublev took early control of the match with four wins out of the opening five games. However, the Russian's errors in the second set allowed Draper to level the contest, though the British player, whose US Open preparations were hampered by injury, appeared to tire as the match progressed, affecting his footwork and first serves.
Rublev had a near miss with a match point, initially expecting an out call, but ultimately secured his place in a ninth major quarter-final. He now faces compatriot Daniil Medvedev, as he aims to break his Grand Slam quarter-final curse and reach his first-ever semi-final. Medvedev recovered from a slow start to overcome Alex de Minaur with a score of 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2.
In another match, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz convincingly defeated fellow youngster Matteo Arnaldi with scores of 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, in just under two hours. Arnaldi fought off seven break points during the match and even broke Alcaraz early in the third set. However, the Wimbledon winner secured his victory, despite recording only two aces at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Alcaraz will continue his title defense against Alexander Zverev, who delighted the New York crowd with a thrilling four-hour and 41-minute performance against Jannik Sinner, ultimately prevailing 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, at 1:39 AM.
Sinner's downfall in the longest match of the tournament thus far was attributed to seven double faults and 67 unforced errors. In the women's section, Ons Jabeur and Jessica Pegula faced Grand Slam disappointment. Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon runner-up, was defeated 6-2, 6-4 by China's Zheng Qinwen, struggling to win only 47% of points on her first serve during an underwhelming performance. Qinwen, who reached the third round in her US Open debut last year, now prepares to face Australian Open holder Aryna Sabalenka, who comfortably defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-3.
Meanwhile, Madison Keys secured an identical victory over an off-color Pegula, who managed only six winners compared to 20 unforced errors and continues to seek her first Grand Slam semi-final appearance. However, Keys missed the opportunity for an all-American quarter-final with Peyton Stearns, as the 21-year-old lost 7-6(3), 3-6, 2-6 to Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, who had to withdraw from the women's doubles due to an arm injury.
