Jack Draper storms into Indian Wells semi-finals with straight-sets victory over Ben Shelton – and tees up clash with Carlos Alcaraz in last-four bow
Jack Draper downed American Ben Shelton in straight sets at the BNP Paribas Open to reach a maiden Masters 1000 semi-final.
After an even tussle to start the match, Draper struck first blood with a break of serve in the seventh game en route to wrapping up the first set 6-4.
The Briton then struggled in the opening stages of the second set, giving up a quick break and finding himself down 0-3.
He was able to rally, however, claiming three straight games before both players again settled into a chess match.
After mirroring each other to 5-5, Draper claimed a crucial break in the 11th and held serve to claim a 6-4, 7-5 victory in one hour and 39 minutes.
He will face second seed Carlos Alcaraz in the final four after the Spaniard overcame Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 7-6 (4).
Jack Draper beat Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-5 to reach the Indian Wells semi-finals and a maiden Matsers 1000 last-four berth
Shelton had found himself 3-0 up in the first set but Draper came from behind to down him
Draper will face Carlos Alcaraz while Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune will play each other
Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev also reached the semi-finals with a 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7) win over 20-year-old Arthur Fils.
Meanwhile, Holger Rune dispatched Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 5-7 6-0 6-3 to reach his first semi-final of the year in a match that was briefly interrupted by rain.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka cruised past Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets 6-2 6-3 to make the semi-finals in just one hour and 22 minutes.
She will face 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys, who cruised past Belinda Bencic 6-1 6-1.
Ninth seed Mirra Andreeva hit a 10-match winning streak with her 7-5 6-3 victory over Elina Svitolina.
She will play Poland’s Iga Swiątek, who made it through to the semi-finals after beating Chinese Olympic gold medallist Qinwen Zheng 6-3 6-3.
