In a stunning upset at the BNP Paribas Open, British tennis sensation Jack Draper eliminated 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in a gripping three-set battle that lasted two hours and 21 minutes. The defending champion secured his quarter-final berth with a hard-fought 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) victory, marking Djokovic’s earliest exit from the Indian Wells tournament since 2018.
The match reached its climax in a decisive third-set tiebreaker where Draper demonstrated remarkable resilience against the Serbian legend. Despite Djokovic establishing a 4-3 lead in the tiebreak, the 22-year-old British player mounted a spectacular comeback, winning four of the final five points to seal the monumental victory.
Meanwhile, world number one Carlos Alcaraz continued his impeccable form with a commanding 6-1, 7-6(2) win against Norway’s Casper Ruud. The Spanish phenomenon has maintained an unblemished 15-0 record for the 2026 season, having already captured the Australian Open and Qatar Open titles earlier this year. Alcaraz’s performance showcased his characteristic explosive shot-making and court coverage, particularly dominant during the first set which he described as ‘unplayable.’
In other tournament developments, fourth seed Daniil Medvedev advanced comfortably with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over American Alex Michelsen, while 2021 champion Cameron Norrie defeated Australian qualifier Rinki Hijikata 6-4, 6-2. Norrie’s victory sets up an intriguing quarter-final clash against Alcaraz, recalling their encounter at last year’s Paris Masters where the British player emerged victorious.
Draper, who has recently returned from a six-month absence due to an arm injury, expressed immense pride in his achievement against the player he considers ‘the greatest tennis player there is.’ He now prepares to face Medvedev in Thursday’s quarter-finals, seeking to continue his remarkable comeback story at the prestigious Masters 1000 event.