Jack Draper produced one of the biggest wins of his career by knocking out Novak Djokovic in a gruelling three-set contest at the Indian Wells Masters on Wednesday.
The British left-hander defeated the former world number one 4–6, 6–4, 7–6 (7/5) to reach the quarter-finals, ending Djokovic’s hopes of returning to the last eight in the Californian desert for the first time since his title-winning run in 2016.
Draper’s victory came after an intense battle that lasted more than two and a half hours. The 38-year-old Djokovic took the opening set, but Draper responded strongly in the second to force a decider.
The match swung dramatically during a punishing rally in the opening game of the third set. Both players chased drop shots and scrambled for lobs before Djokovic eventually finished the point with an overhead winner. The Serbian collapsed onto the court afterwards, visibly exhausted.
Although he held serve in that game, Djokovic admitted the energy spent in that rally proved decisive.
“One point,” he said afterwards. “It was great winning that point, but I just ran completely out of gas.”
Draper soon capitalised, breaking Djokovic’s serve in the following game. The Briton could not immediately close out the contest when serving for the match at 5–4, but he held his nerve in the deciding tie-break.
Djokovic briefly led 4–3, yet Draper surged back to seal a memorable victory.
“I came out here and won that match through determination and trying to problem-solve,” Draper said. “To play Novak — for me the greatest player there is — and win is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
The Briton, playing only his second tournament since returning from a lengthy arm injury that sidelined him for several months, now faces Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals after the Russian defeated Alex Michelsen 6–2, 6–4.
Elsewhere, world number one Carlos Alcaraz advanced comfortably to the quarter-finals with a 6–1, 7–6 (7/2) victory over Casper Ruud.
Alcaraz, who won the tournament in 2023 and 2024, was dominant in the opening set and described his performance as “unplayable”.
“My first set was probably one of my best,” the Spaniard said. “I was really happy playing at that level.”
Ruud raised his game in the second set, but Alcaraz proved too strong in the tie-break, sealing victory with a backhand winner.
The 22-year-old continues a remarkable start to 2026, having already won the Australian Open and the Qatar Open earlier this season. With three wins in Indian Wells, his unbeaten run this year now stands at 15 matches.
Alcaraz will next face Britain’s Cameron Norrie, who defeated Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata 6–4, 6–2 to reach the last eight.
