(Tennis news) Despite struggling to find rhythm early on, Jack Draper still managed to edge a tight first set against Andy Murray at Indian Wells after saving a break point at 5-6. At the age of 35, Andy Murray was understandably tired and his performance against Draper reflected just that as his 21 year old opponent won the final four games to secure a memorable victory. The result meant that Draper has now eliminated both Andy Murray and Dan Evans in the Indian Wells and will now take on Carlos Alcaraz who overcame Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets.

Speaking after the match, Jack Draper said “I’ve looked up to Andy since I was so young. I watched him win Wimbledon for the first time in 2013, and then I’ve had the opportunity to get to know him and practice with him often since 2019. He’s a really special person, a great champion and a great human being, and it was a privilege to play against him on this court.” Murray defeated Radu Albot and Tomas Martín Etcheverry in the opening rounds but has not won three consecutive matches at a Masters 1000 event since 2016.

In other results, defending champion Taylor Fritz overcame Sebastian Baez 6-1 6-2 while Stan Wawrinka overcame No 7 seed Holger Rune 2-6 7-6 (5) 7-5. Despite Rune saving a match point and rallying from 2-5 down to win the second set tiebreaker, but Wawrinka recovered in the third set to defeat his 19 year old opponent. “The last 45 minutes was tough,” Wawrinka said. “I had the match in control and was playing well. I was putting a lot of pressure on myself. I should have won the match before. All my career I know only one way, to keep fighting, working, pushing myself and staying positive. I am super happy with the win.”

Also read: Emma Raducanu progresses to fourth round with a 6-1 2-6 6-4 win over Beatriz Haddad Maia