Jack Draper revels in ‘best match’ at Indian Wells after seeing off Taylor Fritz | Tennis




Jack Draper booked his place in the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open with a straight-sets victory over third seed Taylor Fritz. Seven successive games from late in the first set turned the match in Draper’s favour before he navigated a late stumble to win 7-5, 6-4.

Serve dominated the first 10 games, the British No 1 seizing his only break opportunity in the 11th game and serving out to win the set. Draper, seeded 13th in Indian Wells, broke twice more as he surged into a 4-0 lead in the second set.

He finally stumbled when serving for the match at 5-2 as a double fault handed the American former champion a break, but a pair of aces propelled him to victory at the second attempt.

“It is the best match I have played here so far in the three years I have been here,” Draper said. “There were a few moments here and there in which I was brave, which I spoke to my coach about before the match.

“Taylor is such an amazing player, so to come through in the way I did I am very proud of that.” Draper faces Ben Shelton in the last eight after the American 11th seed beat Brandon Nakashima 7-6 6-1.

Sonay Kartal’s run ended at the last-16 stage of the women’s event as she was beaten 6-1, 6-2 by Aryna Sabalenka. The British No 3 reached the main draw at the competition as a lucky loser following Sloane Stephens’ withdrawal and after beating Polina Kudermetova in the previous round, she was rewarded with a clash against the world No 1 Sabalenka.

Although Kartal broke to win the first game of the opening set, Sabalenka quickly settled into the match and powered away to book a clash with Liudmila Samsonova, a 6-0, 6-4 winner over sixth seed Jasmine Paolini.

The wildcard Belinda Bencic secured her spot in the quarter-finals, coming from behind to earn a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over the third seed Coco Gauff. She will face the Australian Open champion Madison Keys, who beat Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6, 6-3.



Source link

Posted: 2025-03-13 03:35:28

PS Plus April 2025 Extra games predictions - Last of Us Part 2 among the top picks | Gaming | Entertainment
 



... Read More

Remove bad smells in freezers with 1 teaspoon of common ingredient
 



... Read More

Mary Berry says add these 2 ingredients to carbonara to make pasta even richer
 



... Read More

Brit climber killed in avalanche while scaling frozen waterfall | World | News
 



... Read More

Iga Swiatek issues strong statement after 'unacceptable' actions to Indian Wells ball kid | Tennis | Sport
 



... Read More

Gnocchi is light and fluffy with Gordon Ramsay’s simple step
 



... Read More

WhatsApp will be blocked on some iPhones next month - check the full list now
 



... Read More

Pope Francis’ approach did not win him friends within the church bureaucracy. But he lit the path for us all | Francis Sullivan
 



... Read More