US Open: Jack Draper vs Emilio Gomez – Match Point Missed, Fourth Set Thriller
The US Open 2025 has already given tennis fans plenty of unforgettable drama, but few matches have captured the intensity, unpredictability, and emotional rollercoaster of Jack Draper’s clash with qualifier Emilio Gomez. What looked like a straightforward win for the British rising star turned into a marathon test of nerves and resilience when Draper missed a match point opportunity, only for Gomez to seize the moment and drag their contest into a thrilling fourth set.
This gripping battle between a highly touted young gun and a seasoned underdog carried all the hallmarks of what makes Grand Slam tennis so enthralling—momentum swings, heart-stopping rallies, crowd drama, and a reminder that in this sport, nothing is over until the final point is played.
In this detailed breakdown, we’ll revisit the background of both players, take a set-by-set look at the match, analyze the turning points (including Draper’s missed match point), explore fan and expert reactions, and assess what the result means for both men going forward.
Background: A Tale of Two Journeys
Jack Draper – Britain’s Next Big Hope
At just 23 years old, Jack Draper has established himself as one of Britain’s brightest tennis prospects. With a powerful left-handed game built on a booming serve and heavy groundstrokes, Draper has been steadily climbing the ATP rankings. Coming into the US Open, he was seeded inside the top 20, with many tipping him as a dark horse contender for a deep run at Flushing Meadows.
His physicality and aggressive baseline style have drawn comparisons to Andy Murray in his early years, but Draper has faced one persistent challenge: fitness. Injuries have occasionally derailed his progress, making this year’s Slam appearances particularly important for consolidating his reputation as a future top-10 player.
Emilio Gomez – The Veteran Qualifier
The son of former French Open champion Andrés Gomez, Emilio has spent much of his career grinding on the Challenger Tour, never quite breaking into the sport’s elite but always demonstrating grit and determination.
While Gomez lacks the raw power of Draper, he brings experience, court craft, and an underdog’s hunger. For a player like Gomez, matches at the US Open represent more than just wins—they are career-defining opportunities to prove his worth against the best in the world.
The Match: A Set-by-Set Breakdown
First Set: Draper Establishes Control
The opening set went largely to script. Draper quickly found his rhythm, dictating rallies with his forehand and serving with precision. Gomez scrambled to stay in points but struggled to handle the Brit’s pace.
Key Stat: Draper won 85% of points on his first serve.
At this stage, most expected a straight-sets win. Draper looked sharper, more athletic, and mentally composed.
Second Set: Gomez Pushes Back
The second set, however, began to shift the mood. Gomez grew more comfortable, extending rallies and forcing Draper into longer exchanges. Draper’s unforced error count started creeping up, a reminder of how quickly momentum can change in tennis.
At 4-4, Gomez broke Draper with a series of clever passing shots and then served out the set 6-4. The crowd roared, sensing that the match was far from over.
Set Result: Gomez 6-4, match tied at one set apiece.
Third Set: Draper Regains Control
He tightened up his baseline game, cut down on errors, and resumed aggressive play. His serve once again became a weapon, producing aces at crucial moments.
He broke Gomez early and held his nerve throughout, taking the set 6-2.
Drama: Draper held match point at 5-2 but squandered it with a mistimed forehand.
Set Result: Draper 6-2, leading two sets to one.
Fourth Set: The Thriller Unfolds
The fourth set will be remembered as the heart of the drama. Draper, so close to sealing the win, faced a rejuvenated Gomez who refused to back down. The Ecuadorian fed off the crowd’s energy, chasing every ball and counterpunching with remarkable consistency.
At 5-4, Draper once again found himself with match point on Gomez’s serve. This time, Gomez produced a fearless ace down the T, saving the match point in spectacular style.
From there, the set escalated into a nail-biting tiebreak, with Gomez outlasting Draper in grueling rallies.
Defining Moment: Gomez’s ace to save match point at 4-5.
Set Result: Gomez 7-6 (6), leveling the match at two sets apiece.
Expert Reactions
Commentators and analysts were quick to weigh in on the drama:
Missing that match point will haunt him if he can’t recover mentally.”
ESPN analysts praised Gomez’s composure, calling his performance “a masterclass in grit from a veteran qualifier.”
Social media lit up with fans rallying behind both players—Draper for his potential and Gomez for his underdog spirit.
Fan Atmosphere at Flushing Meadows
The atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium was electric. While Draper had a strong contingent of British fans cheering him on, the New York crowd loves an underdog story. By the fourth set, chants of “Go-mez! Go-mez!” echoed through the stands, fueling his comeback.
The tension was palpable, with every long rally met by gasps and roars. For many in attendance, this was one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament so far.
Implications for Both Players
For Jack Draper
Learning Curve: Draper’s missed match point and subsequent struggles highlight the need for greater mental toughness.
Fitness Concerns: As the match dragged on, signs of fatigue emerged—raising familiar questions about whether he can handle the demands of five-set tennis at the highest level.
Future Outlook: Despite the setback, Draper’s talent is undeniable. Experiences like this can be painful but ultimately shape champions.
For Emilio Gomez
Career Highlight: Saving match points and taking a top-20 seed to five sets at the US Open represents one of the greatest moments of Gomez’s career.
Financial Reward: Advancing in the main draw significantly boosts his prize money and ranking points, potentially giving him more chances at ATP-level events.
Inspiration: For older players on the Challenger circuit, Gomez’s performance serves as a reminder that persistence pays off.
Historical Parallels
Tennis history is filled with examples of players who missed match points only to see fortunes reversed. Draper’s experience mirrors past heartbreaks, such as:
Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer (2019 Wimbledon Final) – Federer missed two match points on serve before Djokovic staged a comeback.
Serena Williams vs Jennifer Capriati (2004 US Open) – Serena missed multiple match points before losing in controversial circumstances.
These examples underscore the brutal truth of tennis: a single missed chance can change everything.
What’s Next?
The match stretched into a deciding set, leaving fans eager to see whether Draper could recover or whether Gomez would complete one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Regardless of the final result, this contest has already carved its place in the narrative of the 2025 US Open.
For Draper, the lesson is clear—closing out matches requires not just talent but also the mental steel of a champion. For Gomez, the thrill of extending the battle shows that perseverance and belief can carry a player to remarkable heights, even against younger, higher-ranked opponents.
Conclusion: A Classic US Open Battle
The Jack Draper vs Emilio Gomez showdown will be remembered as one of the standout matches of this year’s US Open. Draper’s missed match point transformed what looked like a routine victory into a fourth-set thriller, packed with drama, tension, and raw emotion.
Whether it ultimately ends in triumph or heartbreak for Draper, the match showcased the very essence of Grand Slam tennis: unpredictability, resilience, and the fact that no lead is ever safe until the handshake at the net.
For Gomez, it was a career-defining performance that highlighted the magic of the underdog. For Draper, it was a painful but valuable lesson on the importance of seizing the moment.
As the tournament progresses, fans will look back on this battle not just as a contest between two players, but as a story of ambition versus resilience—a match that embodied the thrill of the US Open under the bright New York lights.
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