Jack Draper Defeats Carlos Alcaraz to Reach Indian Wells Final
Britain’s Jack Draper defeats defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to end his 16-match winning streak at the Indian Wells Masters. Draper defeated the Spaniard 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 in the semi-finals on Sunday, claiming his spot in his first-ever Masters final.
A Stunning Victory for Draper
The match lasted one hour and 44 minutes, with Draper’s impressive performance securing a breakthrough moment in his career. The World No. 13 ended Alcaraz’s reign at Indian Wells, where the Spaniard had claimed back-to-back titles. Draper’s win also secured him a top-10 ranking for the first time in his career.
Draper Reflects on the Match
“It was a weird match,” Draper said after the victory. “Carlos didn’t start well, and I felt that. I had a chance in the first game of the second set, but he hit an ace. Then, I experienced a drop in energy, but I fought through it in the third set,” he added. Draper’s mental toughness in the deciding set was key to his victory, demonstrating his competitiveness and ability to bounce back after a brief lull in performance.
A Historic Final Awaiting Draper
Draper’s victory set up an exciting final against Denmark’s Holger Rune. The match will be the first ATP 500 final to feature two players born after 2000, marking a milestone in the sport’s young talent. Draper’s achievement is also significant for British tennis, as he became the youngest Briton to secure multiple wins over top-five players in a single tournament, surpassing Andy Murray’s previous record.
A New Era for Draper
At 23 years and 83 days old, Draper surpassed Andy Murray’s record, which stood at 23 years and 92 days, set in Toronto in 2010. This historic achievement adds to Draper’s growing reputation and sets him on a path to greater success in the future.
