JACK & THRILL

Draper pushes himself to the limit for glory

- from NEIL MCLEMAN in Melbourne

MARATHON man Jack Draper believes his third five-set win of a sensational 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 from training with the Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz before Christmas or playing a warm- up event.

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 fourth-round showdown with his pal Alcaraz tomorrow.