Jack Draper Dominates Rising Star Joao Fonseca at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, California — British tennis player Jack Draper advanced to the third round of the Indian Wells Open on Saturday, defeating 18-year-old Brazilian wildcard Joao Fonseca with a decisive 6-4, 6-0 victory.

Draper, the 13th seed in the tournament, showcased his experience and skill against a promising opponent, weathering an initial challenge before pulling away in the second set.

“The kid is an unbelievable player with such firepower,” Draper said, acknowledging Fonseca’s potential as a future star in the sport. “It is so good to have a superstar coming up — I’m sure he is going to be a top player.”

The match was Draper’s first action in the Masters 1000 tournament, often viewed as the ‘fifth Grand Slam’, following a first-round bye. Draper’s next challenge will be American Jenson Brooksby, who defeated Canadian seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in a previous match.

Sonay Kartal, the British women’s number three, also made headlines by defeating Brazilian 16th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, marking the biggest win of her career. Kartal, benefiting from a ‘lucky loser’ spot after her exit in qualifying, is making the most of her opportunity in the tournament.

Despite dealing with a hip injury sustained in the offseason, Draper has had a busy season, participating in only two tournaments thus far. He reached the Australian Open’s last 16 and finished as the runner-up in Doha.

Draper demonstrated remarkable composure during the match, executing tactical plays effectively, especially after overcoming a shaky start. “I feel I did a really good job and I’m proud of the way I competed, the way I moved and what I did tactically,” he said.

Fonseca had attracted a significant following at the tournament, with fans eagerly coming to see the young talent who recently became the fourth youngest man to win an ATP Tour title since 2000. Despite his explosive forehand and power, mistakes plagued Fonseca throughout the match, contributing to his downfall against Draper.

With 23 unforced errors, including nine unforced winners, Fonseca struggled to find his rhythm after a competitive first set where Draper took control following a critical break. Draper stood firm, converting his second set point while Fonseca’s aggressive play backfired in key moments.

Boosted by an early lead, Draper improved his serve and dominated the longer exchanges, although he did face a brief hiccup with three consecutive double faults while serving for the match. He recovered quickly to secure the victory.

Looking ahead, Draper remains focused on his goals. A strong performance in California could see him break into the world’s top ten for the first time in his career. “I have still got a long way to go and build my tennis, fitness, and mentality day in, day out,” he remarked. “I’m getting closer, but I’m not a top-10 player until I get there.”

In another notable match, American Marcos Giron also advanced to the third round after defeating fourth seed Casper Ruud in a tense match. Giron triumphed 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-2 in a thrilling showdown lasting over two and a half hours, showcasing his resilience and quick responses under pressure.

The tournament continues to deliver excitement, with fans eager to witness the next round of matches at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.