Jack Draper storms into Paribas Open quarter-finals with straight-sets win over Taylor Fritz at Indian Wells

Jack Draper celebrates after beating Taylor Fritz (Reuters Connect)

Jack Draper celebrates after beating Taylor Fritz (Reuters Connect)

Jack Draper booked his place in the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open with a straight-sets victory over third seed Taylor Fritz.

Seven successive games from late in the first set turned the match in Draper's favour before he navigated a late stumble to win 7-5, 6-4. Serve dominated the first 10 games, the British No 1 seizing his only break opportunity in the 11th game and serving out to win the set.

Draper, seeded 13th in Indian Wells, broke twice more as he surged into a 4-0 lead in the second set. He finally stumbled when serving for the match at 5-2 as a double fault handed the American former champion a break, but a pair of aces propelled him to victory at the second attempt.

“It is the best match I have played here so far in the three years I have been here,” Draper said “There were a few moments here and there which I was brave, which I spoke to my coach about before the match. Taylor is such an amazing player, so to come through in the way I did I am very proud of that.”

Draper faces Ben Shelton in the last eight after the American 11th seed beat Brandon Nakashima 7-6, 6-1.

Ninth seed Alex de Minaur was knocked out in straight sets by Francisco Cerundolo and the Argentinian will face No 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz, who breezed past Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-1.

Sonay Kartal's run ended at the last 16 stage of the women's event as she was beaten 1-6, 2-6 against Aryna Sabalenka. The British No 3 reached the main draw at the competition as a lucky loser following Sloane Stephens' withdrawal and after beating Polina Kudermetova in the previous round, she was rewarded with a clash against world number one Sabalenka. Although Kartal broke to win the first game of the opening set, Sabalenka quickly settled into the match and powered away to book a clash with Liudmila Samsonova, a 6-0, 6-4 winner over sixth seed Jasmine Paolini.

Wildcard Belinda Bencic secured her spot in the quarter-finals, coming from behind to earn a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over third seed Coco Gauff. She will face Australian Open champion Madison Keys, who beat Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6, 6-3.

Get the latest news delivered to your inbox

Follow us on social media networks

PREV Jack Draper can make the big three the big four
NEXT Swiatek to face Andreeva, Sabalenka meets Keys in Indian Wells semi-finals