Jack Draper was left “overwhelmed” after beating Novak Djokovic for the first time in his career to continue his Indian Wells title defence.
In a match lasting more than two and a half hours, Draper secured his place in the last eight in the deciding set tie-break 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5).
“It was a crazy match,” Draper said. “I think both of us gave it our all. I think from my side, started off a bit passive and then as the match went on, I definitely was able to be more aggressive [and] take control of the points on my terms. Just overwhelmed to obviously beat Novak, someone I have watched and admired and idolised since I was a kid.”
In the previous round against Francisco Cerundolo, Draper claimed back-to-back wins for the first time since Queen’s Club last year, but the victory against Djokovic marks him out as a serious contender once again.
It was at Indian Wells 12 months ago that Draper won the so-called “fifth major” before a bone bruise to his left humerus (arm) emerged during the clay court season and derailed the rest of his year. After eight and a half months of rehab between Wimbledon and the Davis Cup in early February, during which he was able to play just one singles match at the US Open, Draper has started to show the form that lifted him as high as world No 4 last year.
Against Djokovic, Draper was not the only player sporting a compression sleeve on his serving arm, although the Serbian’s white garment was not as colour-coordinated with his outfit.
After each round, Draper has spoken about how difficult it was on the sidelines for so long and that he has noticed it in terms of match fitness, but beating a player as renowned as Djokovic can only be good for confidence.
“I’m really proud of where I’m at with my game,” he said. “I think my level could be a lot better, to be honest. Not so much with the tennis but more my mentality on the court. It’s tough when you haven’t been on the match court for a while, especially against top, top players in the world. I’m still learning about my game, identity on the match court again.”
Djokovic looked like he started to tire in the decider as the increasing number of gruelling points took their toll, including a 26-shot rally going his way in the first game of the third set. It was a rally that left the 38-year-old on his back on the ground, breathing heavily, as a ball kid rushed over with a towel.
As Djokovic started to lean on his racket between points, Draper squandered a chance to serve out for the match, double-faulting and prodding a shot into the net to take the game into a tie-break.
Draper will take on Daniil Medvedev in the last eight, while Cameron Norrie also came through his last-16 match in straight sets against Rinky Hijikata.
Unlike his compatriot, Norrie’s route to the last eight has been more straightforward. He broke Hijikata in the first game of the match and continued to control the match, offering up only one break point in the 6-4, 6-2 win over the Australian.
“This week, I’ve felt I’ve played some of the best tennis of my life, but let’s just keep enjoying it, keep going,” Norrie told Sky Sports afterwards.
In the women’s draw, British No 2 Sonay Kartal succumbed to her ongoing back problems as her run ended with a retirement against Elena Rybakina in the last 16.
Kartal had received treatment on the court during her win over Emma Navarro and also struggled against Madison Keys in the previous round, but still rallied to become the first British woman to reach the fourth round twice in the California desert.
Against Keys, she hailed her “fighter” spirit, but it wasn’t enough to overcome world No 3 Rybakina, and she pulled out at 6-4, 4-3.
“As athletes you are super in-tune with your body, and I’ve had it pretty much the whole event, so I kind of knew that I could keep pushing,” Kartal told BBC Sport. “But today it was unfortunately one match too many.”