2025 Indian Wells champion Jack Draper is still alive in the men’s singles draw.
It took more than two and a half hours of incredible effort for Draper to defeat Novak Djokovic and reach the quarterfinals.
The third set slugfest included physical rallies and powerful shot-making.
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Draper drops the first set.
The margin of victory was only a few points, with Djokovic leading 6-4.
The difference is that Jack Draper’s performance improved as the game progressed. The left-handed Englishman enjoyed a solid serving performance with a reconfigured serving motion to keep his shoulder and arm healthy.
Jack Draper hits a shot during his victory over Roberto Bautista Agut at the BNP Paribas Open on March 7, 2026 in Indian Wells, California.
He withdrew from last year’s U.S. Open and was unable to play the rest of the season due to an arm injury.
Djokovic worked hard
Considering Draper had been away from the game for several months, his stamina and mental clarity under stressful conditions were at an all-time high.
He reminded everyone that last year’s win in Indian Wells was no fluke.
Djokovic sometimes looks nervous and sometimes waves his arms, which has become an issue for him recently.
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However, both men had outstanding matches and either could have made it to the final spot.
Draper was unfazed, methodically working from behind to win the match in a third-set tiebreak.
Draper’s fast turnaround time
A quick recovery is now the name of the game for Draper. All quarter-finals take place on Thursday and he will face Daniil Medvedev, who just hours earlier recorded an easy victory over American Alex Michelsen.
Can Draper be ready to play in less than 24 hours? Tennis fans can’t wait to see it.
From now until Sunday March 15, watch the final round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells live and watch replays of the action on Tennis Channel.
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