Novak Djokovic was stunned by Britain’s Jack Draper in a thrilling three-set battle on Wednesday, with the defending champion falling 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in the Indian Wells Masters 1000 to miss the quarter-finals for the first time since winning his fifth title at the tournament in 2016.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the last eight for the fifth consecutive year, while Daniil Medvedev and Cameron Norrie recorded straight-sets victories to reach the quarter-finals.
Draper, playing just his second tournament since a six-month layoff with an arm injury, wore down the 38-year-old Djokovic in a punishing third set, using a mix of drop shots and relentless court coverage to secure a landmark win.
“I came out here tonight and won through determination, problem-solving, and having a great attitude,” Draper said, praising his strategy of keeping Djokovic moving.
The opening two sets were tightly contested, but the momentum shifted in a marathon opening game of the third. Both players chased drop shots and scrambled for lobs, with Djokovic finally sealing the point with an overhead to take a 40-30 lead, but he was visibly exhausted. Draper won the very next point, signaling the turning point of the match.
“One point. It was great winning that point in that game, but I just ran completely out of gas,” Djokovic said afterward.
Draper broke Djokovic in his next service game and, despite failing to close out on his first match point at 5-4, eventually prevailed in a tense tiebreaker.
“He played a sloppy game to close it out 5-4, and I felt the crowd’s energy pushing me through,” Draper said. “To come out here against Novak, for me the greatest tennis player there is, I’m just incredibly proud of myself.”
Draper now faces two-time finalist Medvedev on Thursday, after the Russian defeated American Alex Michelsen 6-2, 6-4.
Alcaraz shines
Alcaraz extended his perfect 2026 start with a 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) win over Casper Ruud, showcasing the form that earned him back-to-back Indian Wells titles in 2023 and 2024.
“My first set, I think I was unplayable,” Alcaraz said. “I was really happy about playing at that level.”
Ruud fought back in the second set, but Alcaraz pulled away in the tiebreak, closing the match with a leaping volley and a backhand winner.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, who became the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam with his Australian Open victory, is now 15-0 on the season after also lifting the Qatar Open trophy. He will meet Britain’s Cameron Norrie next, who beat Australian qualifier Rinki Hijikata 6-4, 6-2. Norrie, the 2021 Indian Wells champion, defeated Alcaraz in the second round of the Paris Masters 1000 last year.
AFP
