Jack Draper says Andy Murray is “ridiculous” as Briton hopes for record US Open | Tennis | Sport

Jack Draper described Andy Murray's achievement of reaching 26 Grand Slams in a row in the second week as “ridiculous” and “mind-blowing”.

The British number 1 will face world number 39 Tomas Machac at the US Open on Monday after reaching the fourth round here for the second year in a row.

But starting with the 2011 Australian Open, the Scot reached at least the same level in every major he entered until he missed the 2017 US Open due to his hip injury.

During this time, Murray won three Grand Slam titles – including his first at the 2012 US Open – and reached six other finals.

And at the first major since the two-time Olympic champion's retirement in Paris, the 25th seed said: “This is ridiculous. Andy will go down in history as one of the greatest players of all time, in my opinion. And that's exactly why.”

“It's all well and good to do something once or twice, but you achieve great things when you're consistent, and Andy is one of those guys who is incredibly consistent. He gets to finals and stats that are just mind-boggling.

“The same goes for Novak Djokovic and the others. When I think of Andy, a lot of people think of his great successes, but the fact that he has been so consistent and even made it to the fourth round, the final or the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam is a huge achievement because you demand so much from your body and mind.

“It's tough out there, it's hot, it's long games, it's great opponents. I have a lot of respect and admiration for Andy and I suppose there's a reason his body has endured so much because he obviously has that consistency and has demanded so much from his mind and his body.

“He's obviously achieved amazing things too. I think if I just keep going and keep trying, hopefully I'll achieve the same successes as him.”

After Djokovic's early exit, this will also be the first year since 2002 in which none of the “Big Three” will win a Grand Slam title.

Carlos Alcaraz – who was also eliminated from Draper's now completely open section of the draw – and world number one Jannik Sinner have already won majors.

And Draper wants to join them. “I believe that I have a great opportunity if I stay injury-free, continue to work hard on my body and take the experience I gain from playing week after week with me. I am confident that I will make it to this top level,” he said.

“It's just about making sure I do everything for my mind and body and be as professional as I can because my game is there. I work hard all the time to get better and I don't feel like I'm too far away from it.

“So I just have to keep working and hopefully over time I'll get to that level and get the results so I can compete with the guys at the top.”

If he beats Machac, he would face the winner of the Australian derby between world number 10 Alex de Minaur – who knocked out Dan Evans – and world number 32 Jordan Thompson in the quarter-finals.

But the dangerous Machac beat Draper in their last meeting at ATP Tour level in Geneva in May – and the Czech also beat Djokovic in the semifinals. “I showed myself that I have that level sometimes,” said the world number 39.

But Draper, who reached the round of 16 without dropping a set and only losing a single serve, insisted: “I feel like I can play better. I'm positive. I'm happy. Hopefully I can keep it up.”