By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper [13] def Ben Shelton [11] 6-4 7-5
- Draper v Carlos Alcaraz [2] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 3-1
INDIAN WELLS, USA – Jack Draper downed Ben Shelton to reach his maiden Masters 1000 semi-final where he will face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
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Jack Draper [13] def Ben Shelton [11] 6-4 7-5
Jack Draper is into the semi-finals of a Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career after defeating Ben Shelton in straight sets. The match would be decided on serve and that proved to be the case in the early stages with both players overcoming early pressure. It was Shelton who was forced to save a break point in the opening game before Draper came from 0-30 to hold serve thanks to some big serving and miraculous volleying.
As the set grew on, both players gradually found confidence on serve with Draper using the forehand to create ridiculous angles before finishing the point off at the net. Coming to the net was a clear tactic from both players as an aggressive approach to the match was implemented. However, it was Shelton who buckled under pressure first as he was comfortably broken in the seventh game. There was no looking back for Draper who sealed the opening set with an ace as he had one foot in the semi-finals.
There was a much more aggressive approach from Shelton in the second set. The American produced some incredible return winners to break in the second game for a 2-0 lead with windy conditions affecting Draper more. A pumped up Shelton was firing on all cylinders on the forehand side as the American saved a break point to take a 3-0 lead.
The British number one had to weather the early storm and that’s exactly what Draper did as he would break back in the fifth game. There was some ridiculous shot-making from Draper as he was the one now dictating play on return with Shelton slowly fading away. A crucial hold from Shelton pumped up the home crowd but that would mean nothing in the end.
A patient and confident Draper picked his moment and broke in a long eleventh game as he had the opportunity to serve out the match. Despite trailing 0-30, Draper held his nerve to book his spot in the Indian Wells semi-finals and reach another milestone in his career.
Jack Draper [13] v Carlos Alcaraz [2] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jack Draper [13] v Carlos Alcaraz [2] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 3-1 |
| Indian Wells 2025 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $354,850 |
| Third on Stadium One (22:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Draper will now take on defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in his biggest test of the tournament so far.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Last 52 Weeks)
| H2H: | Jack Draper (WR 14) | Carlos Alcaraz (WR 3) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R4 (2023) | Champion (2023, 2024) |
| 1st Serve % | 60.4 | 64.8 |
| Service Games Won % | 84.8 | 86 |
| Break Points Saved % | 60.6 | 64.4 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 51.2 | 54.8 |
| Break Points Converted % | 41.1 | 43.4 |
Draper will need to continue to be aggressive on serve against the consistent yet effective returning of Alcaraz.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
After a disappointing defeat in Doha, Alcaraz is back on track in Indian Wells as the Spaniard is yet to drop a set in California. Now the second seed has the world number one ranking in his sights over the next few weeks as he looks to win a third consecutive Indian Wells title and his second trophy of the season.
Draper will look to be aggressive on the first serve, using the forehand to dictate play from the baseline. Meanwhile Alcaraz will use the backhand to pin Draper behind the baseline while using the serve to force returning errors from the Brit. This should be a high-quality match between two confident players but Alcaraz may prove to be a step too far for Draper in a tight contest.
Prediction: Alcaraz in three sets.
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