Suddenly spotlight is on Jack to step up

ALCARAZ EXIT OPENS THE DOOR

- Neil Mcleman

JACK DRAPER is the new favourite to reach the US Open semi-finals in his wide-open section of the draw - after the shock defeat of Carlos Alcaraz.

Dan Evans also has a great chance to reach the second week here in New York after his opponent today admitted he was "only 80 to 85 percent fit." British No.1 Draper had been scheduled to meet Spanish star Alcaraz in a blockbuster clash in the last 32.

But the reigning Wimbledon champion, below, was stunned in the second round by world No.74 Botic van de Zandschlup, who had contemplated retiring after losing in the first round of the French Open.

None of the eight men left in the two Brits' section has ever reached a Grand Slam event semi-final with Draper favoured by the US bookmakers to reach the last four. Instead of facing Alcaraz as a massive underdog, Draper must now handle bigger expectations.