Indian Wells: Inspired Jack Draper dethrones Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz will not chase his third consecutive Indian Wells crown. World no. 3 faced Jack Draper in the semi-final in the desert and experienced a 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 defeat in an hour and 44 minutes. Thus, Jack reached his first Masters 1000 final at 23. 

Two great friends wrapped up the opening two sets in under 55 minutes after a terrible performance from the returners. Draper overcame a bagel and brought the victory home with a double bagel in the decider. 

The Briton will chase his first Masters 1000 crown in Sunday’s final versus Holger Rune.

Jack claimed five points more than Carlos. Both players struggled behind the initial shot, with the returners taking over 40% of the points. Draper denied five of nine break points, facing eight in set number two. Alcaraz claimed it with a bagel but struggled on his serve in sets one and three.

World no. 3 dropped 44% of the points in his games and experienced four breaks from five opportunities presented to his opponent. The 13th seed built a massive advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes, and the 2nd erased the deficit in the mid-range and most advanced ones. 

Jack Draper, Indian Wells 2025

Jack Draper, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Carlos landed 26 winners and 29 unforced errors, while his rival embraced a 13-23 ratio. Jack forged the lead in service winners, and his rival took it away at the net. However, the Briton forged a slight advantage from the baseline. 

Draper was off to a furious start. He provided four comfortable holds in the opener and delivered two commanding breaks for 6-1 in no time. Jack closed the opening game of the duel with a service winner and grabbed a break at love in the next one after Carlos’ double fault. 

Jack Draper & Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025

Jack Draper & Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

A left-hander delivered fine holds in games three and five for a 4-1 advantage in 16 minutes! The 13th seed attacked on the return in the sixth game and landed a forehand crosscourt winner for a double break and a 5-1 lead. 

Draper served for the opener at 5-1 and held at love with a service winner, moving closer to the finish line after 23 minutes. Unlike the opener, the second set saw deuces in multiple games, and the tables turned completely on the scoreboard!

Alcaraz took charge and delivered a bagel to prolong the battle and his chances. The defending champion saved a break point in the first game and missed three chances on the return in game two. The Spaniard extended the game with a volley winner. 

Jack Draper, Indian Wells 2025

Jack Draper, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

He seized the fourth break point after the rival’s double fault for his first return game of the match. A left-hander lost the ground and sprayed a forehand mistake in the fourth game to find himself 4-0 behind. Jack faced more issues at 0-5. 

Carlos landed a return winner on the third set point, wrapping up the set 6-0 and forcing a decider after 53 minutes! The Briton recovered his game and notched three comfortable holds in the first part of the final set. 

Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025

Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

He landed a backhand winner in the third game for a break at 15 and an early advantage. Draper cemented it with a service winner in game four and held at 30 two games later for 4-2. Alcaraz squandered five game points in game seven and experienced a break after a forced error.

Jack served for the win at 5-2 and lost serve at 15. Alcaraz held in game nine for 4-5 and wished for a chance on the return in game ten. Instead, Draper held at 15 with a service winner, moving over the top and reaching his first Masters 1000 final.

​Tennis World USA


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