Indian Wells semi-finals: Draper eager to prove “that I belong at the top” against Alcaraz

Jack Draper has defeated Carlos Alcaraz once before — a 7-6 (3), 6-3 victory last summer at Queen’s Club — but trails the overall head-to-head series 3-1. Two of their matches have ended in retirements by Draper, including in round four of this year’s Australian Open.

The British left-hander will get another shot at Draper when they collide in the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday afternoon.

Given how solid Draper has looked from a physical standpoint and how well he is playing in Indian Wells, you have to think he should be able to complete this upcoming match. And he might even win it. Draper has not lost a single set this fortnight while beating Joao Fonseca, Jenson Brooksby, Taylor Fritz, and Ben Shelton.

Now he runs into Alcaraz, who also has not dropped a set at this tournament.

“Carlos, he’s obviously a great champion, already doing amazing things in the game,” Draper praised. “(He’s) so good for the sport not only for the players but for also spectators to watch him. I think he’s setting the benchmark really high, and that’s good for a player like myself because I watch him and play against him and I think what I need to do to be at his level and to hopefully compete for big events.

“I think it [will] be a great match. He brings so much to the court, especially in these conditions. He absolutely loves these courts. Yeah, it would be another opportunity for me to show — hopefully — that I belong at the top.”

There is already no doubt about that in Alcaraz’s mind.

“I think his style of play suits pretty well to these conditions well,” the third-ranked Spaniard assessed. “I think his forehand with topspin bounce a lot, and big serve. The times that I have played against him, I think two of them he got injured — and the last one recently in Australia. So I’m just excited about playing him again.

“It seems he’s in really good shape right now. I think he’s ambitious, and he always goes for it. So that’s (what) makes him a really tough opponent. I’m pretty sure he’s gonna be one of the toughest on the tour in the future or in the next year.”

You might also like this

Draper defeats Shelton in Indian Wells quarter-finals

tennis majors

Alcaraz fends off Cerundolo in Indian Wells quarter-finals

tennis majors

British, US Open, Next Gen: Everything you always wanted to know about Jack Draper (but never had time to find out) – updated after run to Doha final

tennis majors