JACK DRAPER and Jessica Pegula missed out on a shot at the $1million jackpot after narrowly losing in the US Open mixed doubles semi-finals.
The British-American duo teamed up late on for the event, after Draper’s previous partners Zheng Qinwen and Paula Badosa were both forced to withdraw due to injury.
Draper and Pegula stormed through the first two rounds of the controversially revamped event – sweeping past Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, then Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva.
Things started brightly last night, as they grabbed the first set 5-3 against Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud.
Swiatek and Ruud came roaring back, however, winning the second set 5-3 to set up a dramatic match tiebreak to 10.
Draper and Pegula raced to an 8-4 lead, with the former playing brilliantly and the latter an extremely accomplished doubles player.
But incredibly their lead soon evaporated, with the scratch pair losing six points in a row to crash out of the tournament.
On match point Pegula opted to volley a Swiatek forehand, setting up an easy winner for the Pole when Draper may have had a more presentable shot had she left the ball.
As Pegula and Draper sat down following the epic match, both looked extremely dejected.
Pegula appeared to tell her partner: “F***, I’m sorry.”
Draper, 23, did not allow Pegula to blame herself, and instead seemed to try and gee her up – having admitted that he had barely spoken to her prior to this week.
The Brit had previously been chided by his partner for describing the tournament as an “exhibition” – with the USTA having been at pains to stress that it remains a proper Grand Slam event.
Following defeat, Draper clarified: “I think yesterday there was times where it felt a little bit more that way from our opponents.
“Whereas tonight we were in the changing rooms, you’re seeing Iga and Casper, they’re fully dialled in. It was intense. We both wanted to win.”
Pegula then weighed in: “You can’t go out there at 7pm on Ashe knowing you could play the final, and feel like you’re just out there.”
Draper was returning to action for the first time since losing in round two of Wimbledon, having since battled injury.
‘I LOVED IT’
Addressing Pegula after the match, the British No1 said: “I enjoyed the competition. I loved it, playing alongside Jessica. I wasn’t expecting probably to have as good of a time as I did.
“Honestly, I thought we played great. Tonight was a tough match. They were on good form. But just overall a really positive experience. Loved playing with you. Hope to do it again.”
Swiatek and Ruud went on to face defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori in the final.
Errani and Vavassori went into the showpiece fully pumped up, having been the only specialist doubles team admitted into the tournament.
The Italians went on to triumph 6-3 5-7 10-6 – successfully defending their crown in front of a full house on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
After the final, 38-year-old Errani pointedly said: “I think this one is also for all the doubles players that couldn’t play this tournament. I think this one is also for them.”
While Vavassori added: “It was an amazing atmosphere, so I have to say thanks to the organisation, to [tournament director] Stacey [Allaster], to Eric [Butorac] also for giving us the opportunity to play.
“I have to say that we showed today that doubles is a great product…
“I think it was amazing to play on this court with so many people and I have to say thanks from the bottom of my heart for the atmosphere.”
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