Draper, 23, secured a surprising victory against the four-time Grand Slam champion with a scoreline of 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 in the Indian Wells semi-final, propelling him into the final of the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event and into the top 10 of the ATP rankings.
Jack Draper Pulls Off Stunning Upset Against Alcaraz at Indian Wells Semi-Final
Jack Draper Pulls Off Stunning Upset Against Alcaraz at Indian Wells Semi-Final
In a thrilling match, British tennis star Jack Draper defeated Carlos Alcaraz, marking a major milestone in his career.
Britain's Jack Draper delivered a remarkable upset at the Indian Wells semi-finals, knocking out reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in a match filled with tension and challenges. The 23-year-old made headlines by defeating the Spanish world number three in a hard-fought battle, winning with scores of 6-1, 0-6, and 6-4.
Draper's ascent to the final marks a significant achievement in his career, moving him into the top 10 of the ATP rankings for the first time. The turning point in this exhilarating contest came in the deciding set when a critical call by the umpire was overturned thanks to the use of video reviews available at Indian Wells. With the match even at one set apiece, Draper successfully challenged a call regarding a double bounce, leading to a crucial break that shifted the momentum of the match.
Reflecting on his performance, Draper expressed pride while maintaining a focus on the final match ahead, stating, "I want to end this week in a great way." His upcoming opponent will be Denmark's Holger Rune, who also secured his spot in the final by overcoming Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev.
Draper's previous encounter with Alcaraz at the Australian Open had ended prematurely due to injury, but this time around, he showed resilience and strategic prowess. After a shaky second set effort, Draper rejuvenated himself with a pep talk in the bathroom to refocus, stating, "I looked at myself in the mirror and was like 'you need to really get your stuff together.'"
Meanwhile, on the women's side, British player Olivia Nicholls fell short in her attempt to secure a WTA 1,000 title in the doubles final but continues to rise in the rankings, showcasing the burgeoning talent in British tennis as both Draper and Nicholls demonstrate their potential on the global stage.
