Jack Draper Upsets Alcaraz to Reach Indian Wells Final

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Jack Draper stunned two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday, March 15, 2025, defeating the world No. 2 in a hard-fought semifinal at the BNP Paribas Open. Draper’s victory, with set scores of 6-1, 0-6, 6-4, ended Alcaraz’s impressive 16-match winning streak at the tournament, marking Draper’s first Masters 1000 final.

Draper, who entered the match ranked 14th in the world, dominated the first set, taking advantage of Alcaraz’s uncharacteristic errors. Alcaraz struggled with 13 unforced errors in the opening set, which lasted a mere 23 minutes. Draper capitalized on back-to-back double faults from Alcaraz, breaking early for a quick 2-0 advantage.

<p“It was a strange match at the start,” Draper said. “Carlos came out flat, and I had to take full advantage.” Draper hit an impressive three aces in the first set, showcasing his powerful serve.

However, Alcaraz rebounded in the second set, displaying his renowned skill and powerful forehand. He broke Draper’s serve three times, leveling the match with a commanding performance and taking the set 6-0. Draper admitted, “I got tight, I had low energy. Against the top players, they can change their momentum quickly.”

The deciding third set featured an intense exchange of breaks, and a critical moment came early on. At 15-15, a controversial video review overturned an initial call that went against Draper. Umpire Mohamed Lahyani ruled that Draper had managed to return a drop shot from Alcaraz before a double bounce, giving Draper a vital point. He capitalized on this momentum, breaking Alcaraz for a 2-1 lead.

<p“When you find yourself with the chance to capitalize, you have to take it,” Draper remarked after the match. He expanded his lead to 5-2, highlighting his competitive spirit and strong attitude in the final moments of play.

<pDespite a late comeback effort from Alcaraz that brought the score to 4-5, Draper held firm and closed out the match, sealing a historic win after one hour and 44 minutes of play.

<p“This one hurts,” Alcaraz said, visibly upset following the defeat. “I was nervous during the whole day; it affected my performance.” Alcaraz was attempting to join the ranks of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as a three-time consecutive champion at Indian Wells.

As Draper prepares for the final against Denmark’s Holger Rune, who defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-4 in the other semifinal, he is focused on continuing his success. “I’m excited for this opportunity,” Draper stated. “My focus is entirely on the final, and I’ll do everything to prepare.”

With this victory, Draper is set to enter the ATP rankings’ top 10 for the first time, illustrating his remarkable ascent from a ranking of No. 43 just a year ago. “It feels incredible to break through to the top 10,” he concluded with pride. “But for now, all my excitement is directed toward what’s next.”