Jack draper Overcome a delicate meeting with the unorthodox American player Jenson Brooksby to reserve his place in the fourth round to Indian wells.
The British No. 1 followed 4-1 in the first set and launched a racket of frustration when he failed to break at 4-2, but recovered his calm to win 7-5, 6-4.
Brooksby slipped into the 937th in the world after a shoulder injury and a long ban for three missed doping tests, but was classified as high as 33rd three years ago.
“Jenson is a very different type of player, he changes tricks and speed very well, and puts uncomfortable life for all tour players,” said Draper after the match.
“It was really difficult and I resolved a little puzzle there.”
He was broken during his first American service game, whose unusual game disturbed the draper rhythm, and launched his racket on the ground after missing a stop at 4-2 in the first set. From there, however, he settled in the match, dates back to level conditions and serving the first set with an ace.
The 23 -year -old held the upper hand in the second set, breaking early and stable again to win the victory after an hour and 42 minutes.
“I left slow to start, I missed some opportunities very early,” said the Briton. “But I am happy with the way I fought and contributed. Even if it was not my best tennis today, I am really happy with the way I did my best to stay cool. “”
This is the second time that Draper has reached the fourth round at the Californian tournament and pursued a strong race at the start of the season, despite a hip injury that disrupted his preparation out of season and forced her to withdraw from his Australian Open Fourth round match. Since then, he has reached the final at Open QatarWith its loss there only its second in 2025 so far.
He will play the former champion and the world n ° 4 Taylor Fritz then after the American beat Alejandro Tabilo in three sets.
Draper and Le Monde n ° 83 Sonay Kartal are the only remaining British in the tournament after Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter have both lost in the third round. Kartal, who lost in the last qualifying series but obtained a main drawing point as a lucky loser, continued a better career race with a third round victory over Polina Kudermetova.
She won 7-5, 6-3 to continue an impressive Indian Wells campaign, after defeating the world n ° 17 Beatriz Haddad Maia In his previous match. This is the first time that Kartal – who initially checked his accommodation after losing in qualification – reached the fourth round of a Wta 1000 events.
“I reserved an apartment to see myself through qualifications, so I had to find another place to stay at the last minute,” she said. “I was homeless for about 12 hours. But it was a good problem to get.”
The 23 -year -old has taken an early break, but fought his way in the match, winning three consecutive games to take the first set, and faced less opposition in the second while the number of Kudermetova errors increased.
His next opponent is the Grand Chelem Champion N ° 1 and Triple World Aryna Sabalenkawhich crossed the Italian Lucia bronzetti 6-1, 6-2.
