Tennis Mar 10, 2026

Jack Draper begins Indian Wells title defence with three-set victory over Roberto Bautista Agut

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Jack Draper begins Indian Wells title defence with three-set victory over Roberto Bautista Agut

Jack Draper began the defence of his Indian Wells title with a three-set win over Roberto Bautista Agut to move into the third round.

The British No 1 lost the first set 6-3 but came back strongly to win the final two sets 6-3 6-2.

He started his first game at this tournament brightly, getting three break points but Bautista Agut did well to repel him and hold serve.

Bautista Agut attacked in the sixth game of the first set to secure the break and move 4-2 up. He then consolidated that break, holding serve in the next game to take the set.

But Draper stormed back. He bulleted a back hand winner down the line to break Bautista Agut early in the second set. And then held to love to take a commanding 3-0 lead and win the set from there.

He was decisive in the third set, getting to three break points in the third game and claiming the first of them.

Bautista Agut threatened to break back in the sixth game but Draper marshalled him to continue his progress.

The Briton grabbed a break to serve for the match. Bautista Agut attempted to fight back but from 0-40 down but Draper wouldn't let up and went on to take the match.

En route to claiming his Indian Wells title last year, Draper defeated world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz before beating Denmark's Holger Rune in the final.

He will find it a tall order to repeat those heroics this year having only recently returned from a long injury lay-off.

"It felt amazing," Draper told Your Site Tennis. "It's nice to be back somewhere where I've had great memories. But also I'm a little bit under-prepared because of the amount of tennis I've missed.

"The injury I had it wasn't like a couple of weeks. It was eight months. I missed so much competitive tennis and I do feel that. I feel a little bit off. In practice my level's good but when it comes to the match court I'm definitely a bit in and out with my consistency. But I think that's going to come.

"I was coming out today against a really formidable opponent," Draper continued. "He played really good in the first set. It's not easy out here in these conditions. I know from last year these conditions reward someone who looks to the forehand and who's aggressive, especially with the way the ball reacts off the surface. I felt like from the second set I really did that.

"These wins are massive for me, especially on my return to the tour.

"Hopefully I can keep on progressing from here with how I want to play."

There was further success for British tennis when Sonay Kartal upset the USA's Emma Navarro.

Their match went to a third set tiebreaker, with Kartal prevailing 6-1 3-6 7-6 (7-2).

Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina came through in three sets to beat Hailey Baptiste 7-6 (5) 2-6 6-2.

Jannik Sinner was also in action, overwhelming Dalibor Svrcina 6-1 6-1, while Iga Swiatek beat Kayla Day 6-0 7-6 (7-2).

Playing in his first match since his ⁠impressive run at the Australian Open that included ​a thrilling five-set semi-final win over Sinner, ​Novak Djokovic needed some time to shake the rust off ​but ultimately prevailed 4-6 6-1 6-2 over Majchrzak.

Cameron Norrie, who is seeded 27th, cruised past American qualifier Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets 6-2 6-3.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz also made quick work of Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, securing a dominant 6-2 6-3 win.

However, British number three Jacob Fearnley went down down 3-6 7-6 (8) 6-1 against seventh seed Taylor Fritz to end his Indian Wells journey.

Watch the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells live on Your Site until March 15. .

Tags:

tennis news

Share this article

Related Posts

Jack Draper beats Francisco Cerundolo at Indian Wells to set up Novak Djokovic clash in last 16

Jack Draper beats Francisco Cerundolo at Indian Wells to set up Novak Djokovic clash in last 16

Jack Draper defeated Francisco Cerundolo to set up a fourth-round clash with Novak Djokovic in the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The Briton claime...

Jack Draper relishing facing Novak Djokovic in last 16 at Indian Wells with Cameron Norrie and Sonay Kartal also flying high

Jack Draper relishing facing Novak Djokovic in last 16 at Indian Wells with Cameron Norrie and Sonay Kartal also flying high

Jack Draper is relishing the chance to take on Novak Djokovic again after continuing the defence of his Indian Wells title by reaching the last 16.The...

Emma Raducanu knocked out of Indian Wells by Amanda Anisimova as Brit suffers defeat in 52 minutes to American

Emma Raducanu knocked out of Indian Wells by Amanda Anisimova as Brit suffers defeat in 52 minutes to American

Emma Raducanu suffered a quick exit to Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells, losing a third-round clash 6-1 6-1 in just 52 minutes. Anisimova reached the...

Jack Draper in a 'good place' after recovering from injury setback ahead of Indian Wells

Jack Draper in a 'good place' after recovering from injury setback ahead of Indian Wells

Jack Draper revealed he had started to question himself during the injury setback that derailed the end of his 2025 season, but is confident he is rea...

'Rage Room' introduced at WTA ATX Open for players to blow off steam - Tim Henman: No cameras, private space, I like it!

'Rage Room' introduced at WTA ATX Open for players to blow off steam - Tim Henman: No cameras, private space, I like it!

Tim Henman, Laura Robson and Naomi Cavaday have their say after a WTA tournament in Texas unveiled ‌a 'rage room' for players to take out their frustr...

Aryna Sabalenka dismisses Naomi Osaka to reach Indian Wells quarter-finals while still to drop a set in California

Aryna Sabalenka dismisses Naomi Osaka to reach Indian Wells quarter-finals while still to drop a set in California

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka eased past 16th seed Naomi Osaka 6-2 ‌6-4 to reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals, extending her dominant run at the ‌WTA...