Jack Draper defeated Francisco Cerundolo to arrange a fourth-round conflict with Novak Djokovic within the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
The Briton claimed a 6-1 7-5 victory and can now face Djokovic for the primary time since Wimbledon in 2021, when the Serb gained in 4 units on the way in which to the sixth of his seven titles on the All England Membership.
Djokovic booked his place within the fourth spherical earlier within the day as he beat American Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4 1-6 6-4 to achieve the final 16 for the primary time since 2017.
“The tennis is one thing, the person and the player I’ve been watching since I was a young boy, in my opinion he’s the greatest player of all time,” Draper advised Sky Sports activities.
“He is proven yr in yr out by means of his consistency that he is the most important champion of all of them.
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Highlights of the Indian Wells match between Novak Djokovic and Aleksandar Kovacevic
“If you go up towards him you understand he’ll be there mentally, you understand he’ll make it an extremely powerful match and play some loopy tennis and I will need to be prepared for that and up my sport.
“Definitely going to have to compete hard and prepare well.”
Draper opened the defence of his Indian Wells crown with a victory over Roberto Bautista Agut as he continues his comeback from a prolonged harm lay-off.
The 24-year-old gained 79 per cent of first serve factors within the match however transformed simply six of 14 break factors as he was pushed laborious within the second set.
“In the last eight months I’ve really wanted to be back out on court but had to accept that it was going to be a pretty long-term injury I was going to have,” he mentioned.
“It’s really good to get back in the feeling where I’m able to play back-to-back matches because there was a point where if I played one practice session I couldn’t do another one.
“To be right here I am very grateful whatever the manner I am taking part in.”
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Highlights of the Indian Wells match between Cameron Norrie and Alex de Minaur
Britain’s Cameron Norrie, the 2021 champion at Indian Wells, additionally superior to the fourth spherical because of a 6-4 6-4 win over sixth seed Alex de Minaur.
Watch the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells reside on Sky Sports activities till March 15. Stream tennis with NOW, contract-free.
