Jack Draper secured a remarkable victory over Taylor Fritz in the fourth round of Indian Wells and spoke about the extra pressure that comes with facing the world's best players, mentioning names like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The World No. 14 reached the Indian Wells quarter-finals for the first time and will face the last remaining local hope, Ben Shelton. Draper is steadily cementing his place among the elite and growing more accustomed to these high-level battles.
In fact, the Brit has faced Alcaraz four times, even stunning him on the grass courts of the 2024 Queen’s Club Championships, just weeks before the Spaniard claimed the Wimbledon title. Draper has also shared two encounters with Sinner, each winning once — Draper’s victory came at Queen’s Club in 2021, but he fell short in their US Open semi-final clash.
Still, Draper feels increasingly comfortable against top-tier opponents. Against Fritz, the World No. 4 and local favourite, Draper held his nerve, especially in the second set, clinching a smooth victory.
At 23 years old, Draper recognises the value of these high-stakes matches. "When I play against someone like Carlos or Jannik, when these players are playing well, they put a lot of pressure on you and you feel like you have to do more," Draper told Tennis Channel.
"You feel that pressure when you are on the court and I think that is tennis. When you play these top players — or I hope when people play me now — they feel pressure to do more than they think they need to."
On Thursday, Draper will return to the court to face Shelton, a first-time encounter between the two. Both players are in fine form early this year and are vying for a spot in the Top 10. Draper currently sits 12th in the live rankings, with Shelton at 13th — separated by just 30 points. The winner of this match will rise to No. 11, just one victory away from breaking into the Top 10 for the first time.
Match Info
Start time (local): Thu, 13 Mar, 5:00 PM
Start time (your time): Fri, 14 Mar, 8:00 AM
Court: Stadium 2
Tournament: BNP Paribas Open
Round: Quarterfinal
Head-to-Head
| Shelton | Draper | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 0 | 0 |
| Win Streak | 0 | 0 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 12 | 14 |
| Race Ranking | 5 | 17 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 13 (-1) | 12 (+2) |
| Live Race Ranking | 5 | 14 (+4) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 22 (9 Oct 2002) | 23 (22 Dec 2001) |
| Birthplace | Atlanta, Georgia, US | Sutton, London, England |
| Residence | Gainesville, Florida, US | London, England |
| Height | - | 6'2" (188cm) |
| Weight | - | 165lbs (75kg) |
| Plays | Left-handed (two-handed backhand) | Left-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Coach | Bryan Shelton, Dean Goldfine (traveling coach) | James Trotman (2021–present) |
| YTD W/L | 9-4 (69%) | 10-1 (91%) |
| YTD Titles | - | - |
| Career Titles | 2 | 2 |
| Prize Money | US $6,231,742 | US $5,436,539 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
First meeting |
||
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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