Jack Draper fought off Novak Djokovic in a punishing three-set match Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals and keep his title defense on track at the BNP Paribas Open.
The British player came from a set down to win 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in a contest that tested both men’s fitness and resolve. This marked Draper’s first career victory over the 24-time Grand Slam champion and came in his second tournament back after missing nearly six months with an arm injury.
Draper dropped the opening set but responded strongly in the second. The real test arrived in the decider. An extraordinary 26-shot rally unfolded in the opening game as both players chased drop shots and lobs across the court. Djokovic eventually put away an overhead but collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion straight afterward.
That moment appeared to drain the 38-year-old Serb. Although he held serve, Draper broke him in the next service game. Serving for the match at 5-4, the Briton let the opportunity slip, which allowed Djokovic to force a tiebreak.
Djokovic led 4-3 in the tiebreak, but Draper stayed composed and closed it out 7-5 after more than two and a half hours on court. He relied on well-timed drop shots throughout to keep the former world number one moving.
After the match, Djokovic pointed to one key moment as the difference. “One point. It was great winning that point in that game, but I just ran completely out of gas.” He added that Draper’s missed chance at 5-4 briefly lifted his hopes.
“He played a sloppy game to close it out 5-4, and I got the crowd backing me and I felt the energy. It was so, so close.” The 38-year-old admitted he left the court with a bitter feeling after the narrow loss.
Draper spoke of the mindset that carried him through. “I came out here tonight and I won that match through determination and trying to problem-solve and do my best and have a great attitude.” Facing one of his heroes clearly meant a lot. “To come out here against Novak, for me the greatest tennis player there is, I’m just incredibly proud of myself.”
Draper now faces Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals on Thursday. The Russian reached the last eight with a straightforward 6-2, 6-4 win over American Alex Michelsen.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz stayed unbeaten in 2026 by beating Casper Ruud 6-1, 7-6 (7-2). He dominated the opening set and held firm in the tiebreak to extend his perfect start to 15-0 this season after titles at the Australian Open and the Qatar Open. Alcaraz said he felt completely in control early on. “My first set, I think I was unplayable to be honest. I was really, really happy about playing at that level.”
The Spaniard will next meet Cameron Norrie, who advanced with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Australian qualifier Rinki Hijikata. Norrie, the 2021 Indian Wells champion, beat Alcaraz at the Paris Masters last year, which adds extra interest to their quarter-final.
Draper’s performance showed clear signs of his recovery and fighting spirit. The victory over Djokovic delivered one of the tournament’s most memorable points and sets up another tough test against Medvedev as the BNP Paribas Open moves into the quarter-final stage in the California desert.
