Jack Draper — Sports Commentary

INDIAN WELLS — That thought of Carlos Alcaraz and his three-peat at the BNP Paribas Open was knocked into the desert halfway to Death Valley by a guy named Jack Draper, who made sure Saturday that the result of the men’s final would be a “One-peat.”

On a Saturday when the weather in this resort area finally met expectations, with temperatures reaching the low 70s, Stadium One at Indian Wells Tennis Garden was packed. The winners of the two men’s semifinals likely felt the energy. Draper, a 23-year-old whose mother was a competitor in England, began his tennis journey by hitting balls against the walls of their home club. He defeated Alcaraz 6-1, 0-6, 6-4.

In Sunday’s final Draper will be up against Holger Rune of Denmark, who took care of Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-4.

The ladies also will have their last match on Sunday, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will face wunderkind Mirra Andreeva, the 17-year-old from Russia. They advanced Friday night, Sabalenka crushing Madison Keys of the U.S. 6-0, 6-1, and Andreeva winning over two-time BNP champion, Iga Swiatek, 7-6,1-6, 6-3.

Maybe nothing should be a surprise in sports, especially in tennis, but Keys winning only one game against Sabalenka was a real stunner. The 11th game, in particular, stood out. Keys, 34, the American, had defeated Sabalenka just seven weeks ago in the Australian Open final, securing Madison’s first major victory. Sabalenka called Saturday’s match "revenge," while others described it as a "bagel, breadstick" finish.

Alcarez has won four major titles, including two Wimbledons, and Draper none, but Alcarez was properly weary of his opponent. Alcaraz said of Draper, “I think he’s ambitious, and he always goes for it. That makes him a really tough opponent.”

How tough was evident in the final score. “I mean, this one hurts”, said Alcaraz. “I don’t want to lose any match, but I think this one was even more special to me. It was difficult today, a lot of nerves in the match.”

When asked what he could have done better, Alcaraz reflected, “Just playing my style and stepping onto the court with fewer nerves. I think that was the big difference.”

You might think that a man who has won Wimbledon twice, along with titles at Roland Garros and the U.S. Open, would be less nervous—even at an event known as the "Fifth Major." But internal pressure is always a factor when competing at the highest level.

When the opportunity arrives, how does the athlete respond? Draper showed us.

“Yeah, I feel incredible obviously to beat Carlos in this sort of stage in the tournament on that court,” said Draper. “You know, I have watched the top players in the world play on that court for many, many years now, and it feels amazing, honestly, both those things.”

Rune, who has reached the quarterfinals in three Grand Slam tournaments, is one of those players whose name always seems to pop up and cause you to ask, “Who’s that?” But to followers of the sport, he’s more than just a name. His win on Saturday over Medvedev, a two-time BNP Paribas Open runner-up, was particularly impressive.

“I feel like I’m very clear in my mindset,” said Rune. “Also (Sunday) I have to go for it. It’s not going to be handed to me. It’s a lot of work.”

Nothing is handed to you in sports. As Rune said you have to go get it.