CRACKER JACK

Draper does it the hard way again in ANOTHER epic five-setter

- NEIL MCLEMAN

MARATHON man Jack Draper reckons his third five-set win of an amazing week at the Australian Open was reward for all his hard work.

The British No.1 suffered a catalogue of physical problems earlier in his career and admitted he "hates being the guy who's injured a lot" after retiring from the 2023 French Open.

A nagging hip injury prevented the British No.1 training with the Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz before Christmas or playing a warm-up tournament.

But the US Open semi-finalist showed the physical and mental strength to fight back from two sets to one down for the third time in Melbourne to set up a Sunday showdown with his pal Alcaraz.