Draper, Norrie spark British juggernaut

Britain’s pair of former Indian Wells Masters champions dished out decisive straight-wins on Monday to start the championship countdown week in the Californian desert.

Norrie, who lifted the title here in 2021, stunned world No. 6 Aussie Alex de MInaur 6-4, 6-4 while London-based defending champion Jack Draper did his part with a 6-1, 7-5 thrashing of Francisco Cerundolo.

The win nudges Draper into a fourth-round match with five-time tournament winner Novak Djokovic, who needed three sets to go by Serb-American Alexsandar Kovacevic 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.

Draper won back-to-back matches for the first time since June at Queen’s club.

He and 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic played their only match five years ago in the Wimbledon first round, with the then-teenager stole set off the Serb icon before taking the loss.

“I’ve been watching him since I was a young boy and in my opinion he’s the greatest player of all time,” Draper said.

“When you come up against him you know he’s going to be there mentally, you know he’s going to make it an incredibly tough match.” 

Draper, playing only his second Tour event after eight months out with bone bruising in his arm, said he is still working his way back to his previous form,

“I’m only just getting to the point where I’m playing without pain in my arm, so it’s not easy to feel really confident.

“Obviously I’ve been playing a little bit, but I’ve got to accept that my tennis isn’t going to be completely there for a while.”

Main photo:- Jack Draper winning in Indian Wells – by ATPTour.com