Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Indian Wells: Jack Draper beats Andy Murray in straight sets to reach last 16

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Tuesday, 14 March 2023 00:17

Jack Draper beat Andy Murray 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 in their first competitive meeting to reach the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters.

The 21-year-old will now play US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday.

Draper was on Centre Court as an 11-year-old when Murray won Wimbledon for the first time in 2013 and has formed a strong bond with the Scot.

"If I was going to say one sporting person who has inspired me the most it would be Andy," Draper told BBC Sport.

"To come off court with the win against Andy - I'll never forget that moment."

Draper broke for a 2-1 lead in the first set after Murray double-faulted, and had a chance to serve out the set at 5-4. But Murray broke back to love, and Draper then had to serve an ace to fend off a set point at 5-6.

The tie-break was as close as the set until a fine backhand service return and then an ace secured it for Draper after 83 minutes by eight points to six.

Draper had his upper right leg tightly strapped before the second set began, and it was only after he had broken for a 4-2 lead that there were occasional signs it was affecting his movement.

But Murray was tiring, too, and Draper was still able to save two break points to extend his lead.

After having the strapping removed at the change of ends, the Englishman completed victory as Murray hit a fifth double fault on match point.

"I'm very proud of myself. Beating Dan Evans, as well [in the previous round]. Dan's a fierce competitor, someone who I've looked up to. That gave me confidence to go out there tonight and think even though it's a really tough mental challenge again, I can do this," Draper said.

"This is my first tournament in the last couple of months since I played Rafa [Nadal] in the Australian Open.

"My body is in a position at the moment where I am improving a lot. I have a fitness trainer, Dejan Vojnovic, who is incredible but I have only been working with him for three months and this is a long-term project."

Draper missed two recent tournaments in the Middle East because of soreness in his right hip and the problem has not entirely gone away.

"It's something that is bothering me a bit at the moment, but day by day it can only get better but being sore in this tournament was always something that was going to be likely," he said.

Murray will now move on to Miami, where he is a two-time champion, with at least a week to rest before his first-round match.

"In the tie-break, I had a few opportunities but he came up with a really good return on the six-all point and then the second set was tough for me, physically," Murray said.

"Just a bit of fatigue to be honest - recently I've played quite a lot of long matches and the first set was very tough physically for both of us, and here it's not that easy to finish points."

Read 194 times

Soccer

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA full can of beer thrown from the stands struck Mexico coach Javie...

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLyon have been banned from making any transfers in the January tran...

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

A brace from Luis Palma on Friday carried Honduras to a 2-0 Concacaf Nations League victory over Mex...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Jenkins talks NBA 'code' after no-call on Draymond

Jenkins talks NBA 'code' after no-call on Draymond

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Once again, the "code" word has come up in a game...

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSACRAMENTO, Calif. -- When De'Aaron Fox saw that he had 48 points i...

Baseball

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays hired former Cincinnati Reds manag...

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

EmailPrintFormer outfielder Al "The Bull" Ferrara died Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. He...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated