British number one Jack Draper battled back from a set – and feeling “a little underprepared” after eight months out due to injury – to get his title defense at Indian Wells off to a winning start.
An early break of serve in his third set gave Draper a crucial advantage which he pressed to defeat Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6 6-3 6-2 and advance to the third round in California.
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Britain’s Cameron Norrie reached the third round with a comfortable 6-2 6-3 victory over American Mackenzie McDonald, while compatriot Jacob Fearnley lost 6-3 6-7 (8-10) 6-1 to American Taylor Fritz.
Having only been dismissed last week following bone bruises to his left arm while serving, Draper – who had received a bye in the first round – was temperamental at first before fighting back at the start of the second set.
He took a 5-2 lead in the third and saved three break points in the final game.
Draper told BBC Sport he had “mixed emotions”.
“It was great because of the good memories from last year, but at the same time it was difficult because I’m probably underprepared for this tournament compared to how I would like it to go,” he said.
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“I started a little slow, but then I fought hard and found a really good level towards the end. From here I can only go in one direction.”
Draper beat Holger Rune in last year’s final to win his first Masters 1,000 trophy but, after rising to fourth in the world, his breakout year was cut short.
With a significant number of ranking points to defend, an early defeat at Indian Wells could have knocked him out of the top 30.
“The draper still shows signs of rust” – analysis
Draper says he probably saw more service during his injury absence than at any other time in his career, but it wasn’t a weapon he always could count on against Bautista Agut.
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Draper’s fast start to the second set was the pivotal moment of the match, however, and while he still showed many signs of rust, he won the deciding match by a margin.
Draper’s next opponent, Francisco Cerundolo, is happiest on a clay court.
But Cerundolo won his previous two meetings and clay-court players often thrive at Indian Wells on a gravelly surface that can slow the ball down and cause a higher bounce.
Norrie, Alcaraz and Djokovic qualify
Norrie, who won the 2021 Indian Wells title, will face Australian world number six Alex de Minaur in the last 32.
“I had incredible preparation,” Norrie said.
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“I got here with time – lots of time – so I’ve trained really, really well against all types of players, and the weather has been unreal, so good vibes all around.”
World number one Carlos Alcaraz won 6-2 6-3 against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, while five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic beat Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 4-6 6-1 6-2 to also reach the third round.
Spaniard Alcaraz won this year’s Australian Open to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam, and has won all 13 of his matches in 2026.
“I played very well,” he said. “The conditions were not easy, it was very windy today.”
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Serbian Djokovic, playing for the first time since losing the Australian Open final to Alcaraz, said: “I knew the first match in so long would be a bit tricky.
“I felt like I had to find my best play when I needed it the most, especially early in the third.”
‘He can do it’ – Djokovic advises Alcaraz to break winning record
Djokovic said Alcaraz was capable of breaking Djokovic’s ATP Tour record of 41 consecutive wins since the start of the season, set in 2011.
Alcaraz, 22, said this week: “You don’t realize how difficult it is until you do it. That’s four or five more tournaments – the biggest tournaments in the world. You feel how impressive it is.”
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Djokovic said: “He can do it. He has everything you need in terms of play, in terms of adaptability to different surfaces, and the level of fitness and recovery that he has shown and matured over the years.
“He has to keep his body healthy. If he keeps his body healthy, he is so good that he can win any tournament he enters.
“So you never know. He has accomplished historic things in our sport from a very young age.
“I wish him many more victories. He is great for our sport and what he has done is remarkable.”
