Jack Draper’s defense of his Indian Wells title ended in the quarterfinals on Thursday when Daniil Medvedev beat him 6-1, 7-5 at the BNP Paribas Open.
The 24-year-old Briton looked tired from his two-hour 35-minute win over Novak Djokovic the previous day. Medvedev, the 11th seed and fresh from lifting the trophy in Dubai, took charge early and never let go.
Medvedev broke in the opening game and built a 4-0 lead in the first set. Draper held once but could do little else against the Russian’s sharp backhands and flat power. The set lasted just 24 minutes.
The second set stayed even until 5-5. Draper served at 0-15 when the decisive moment arrived. Medvedev hit a deep forehand. Draper raised both arms wide, convinced the ball had gone long. The rally carried on for several more shots until Medvedev netted a backhand.
Draper took the point on court. Medvedev walked straight to chair umpire Aurélie Tourte and asked for a video review on hindrance. Tourte studied the footage and ruled that Draper’s arm movement had distracted his opponent. She awarded the point to Medvedev, making it 0-30.
The crowd reacted with loud boos. Draper hit an ace to reach 15-30 but lost the game on break point. Medvedev held serve to close out the match and reach the semi-finals for the fourth straight year.
At the net the players talked for several minutes. Medvedev told Draper he did not feel great about the call. Draper replied that he thought the match went to the stronger player, but the gesture had not distracted Medvedev enough.
Later Medvedev explained his position. “Was I distracted big time? No. Do I feel good about it? Not really. But I also don’t feel like I cheated or something,” he said. “I got a bit distracted. I let it go, I let the referee decide. I had a lot of calls against me in my life. To get one on my side feels good as well.”
Draper had told the umpire he believed the decision was wrong. He left the court after shaking hands with both Medvedev and Tourte.
The British player had reached the quarterfinals in only his second ATP event since the US Open last year. He had battled back from injury and produced a strong week before the physical toll of consecutive tough matches caught up.
Medvedev now stands one win from the final. He leads the tour with 17 victories this season and has won 16 sets in a row since his loss in Rotterdam.
The hindrance call brought attention to the rule that lets a player claim interference from an opponent’s action or noise. Video review allowed the umpire to check the moment in detail and make her decision.
Draper exits as the defending champion with credit for his run. His ranking will drop after the result, but the week showed he can still compete at the top level.
Medvedev moves forward with his familiar focus intact. He will face Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals after the Spaniard won his quarter-final.
The match closed out British singles interest at the tournament as Cameron Norrie also lost earlier on Thursday.
