Tennis: Draper To Battle World Number 3 Alcaraz For Indian Wells Open Final

World Number 14 Jack Draper defeated American Ben Shelton 6-4 7-5 to set up a semi-final clash with World number 3 Carlos Alcaraz at the 2025 Indian Wells.

He produced a stunning performance to see off Shelton, who struggled to cope with his serves, winning the first set in style.

Shelton double faulted to give Draper a deserved place in the semi-finals despite going 0-30 but still managed to seal the next four points to advance.

Draper reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at September’s US Open but this is the first time he has qualified for the semi-finals at a Masters 1000 event.

The 23-year-old is excited with the opportunity to take on Alcaraz, who he has only beaten once in four meetings.

He said: “I’m always proud of myself.

“Unfortunately in tennis you’re in a sport where there is always the next match and you have to prove yourself every time.

“I’m never content with anything. I always want to have more wins and more opportunities to play with top players.

“I felt like maybe the conditions suited me a little bit more.

“His serve would be bouncing very high if it were lively, but I felt it was a challenge for both of us dealing with the wind and the dead conditions.

Draper is expecting a much tougher challenge against Carlos Alcaraz.

He continued: “I think these courts bring out the best in him. He can show all his skills and look for his forehand.

“I think the conditions really suit him – but then again, he does well in most circumstances.”

Alcaraz defeated Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to record his 16th successive match win in California.

The World number three is aiming for a third consecutive title, a feat achieved only by Roger Federer (2004-06) and Novak Djokovic (2014-16).

In the other semi-final, Daniil Medvedev will take on Holger Rune for a place in the final.

In the Women’s category, Defending champion, Iga Swiatek brushed aside Zheng Qinwen 6-3 6-3 to set up a semi-final clash with teenager Mirra Andreeva.

Swiatek could become the only woman since Martina Navratilova in 1990 and 1991 to win back-to-back Indian Wells titles.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka will face Madison Keys in the other semi-final clash.

Tennis: Draper To Battle World Number 3 Alcaraz For Indian Wells Open Final is first published on The Whistler Newspaper