INDIAN WELLS/WASHINGTON, March 15, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)
When Great Britain’s Jack Draper stepped off Stadium 2 after his BNP Paribas Open quarterfinal victory over World No. 12 Ben Shelton of the United States Thursday evening, it represented another stepping stone in the upward career trajectory that the World No. 14 from Sutton, England has achieved.
Draper’s 6-4, 7-5 quarterfinal triumph over Shelton in a battle of big-serving lefties lifted the British No. 1 into his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal, making him just the fifth British man to reach the last four at Indian Wells in the tournament’s 49-year history.
“You know, my tennis has been really improving all the time with more experience at the highest level, and I’m gaining more wins against top players like Ben,” Draper said during his post-match news conference. “I thought I competed great.”
Smashing it @jackdraper0 | #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/uOIVIWCH2U
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 14, 2025
Draper, who is two spots shy of equaling his career-high ranking of No. 12, improved to 11-2 this season with his straight-set victory over Shelton. He struck 20 winners, made just nine unforced errors and outpointed Shelton 78-65. Draper will face World No. 3 and two-time defending Indian Wells champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in Saturday evening’s second semifinal. World No. 6 Daniil Medvedev of Russia, an Indian Wells finalist in each of the last two years, and World No. 13 Holger Rune of Denmark play in the first semifinal.
After having already reached the final at Doha earlier this season – also on a hard-court surface – Draper realizes that reaching another semifinal is part of a progress that has garnered the 23-year-old Briton plenty of positive attention in 2025, from the media and from his opponents.
“I’m always proud of myself, always looking at what I’m doing and thinking that I’m doing a good job and stuff like that,” Draper said. “Unfortunately, obviously in tennis, you’re in a sport where there is always the next match and you have to prove yourself every time.
“Certainly, for myself, my mindset, unfortunately that, as well, I feel like I’m never content with anything. I always want to have more wins and more opportunities to play top players.
“You know, I just want to keep on progressing and keep on improving and keep on going for more success. Obviously at the end of the weeks, I look back on what I have done and I’m incredibly proud of myself, but right now it’s all about my next match.”
A first for Draper @jackdraper0 is in his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal after defeating Shelton 6-4 7-5.#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/ME8X0KuhVh
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 14, 2025
Draper’s next match, against Alcaraz, no doubt will be a challenging one. After all, the 21-year-old Spaniard will bring a 16-match winning streak into the semifinal. He’s been the King of the California Palm Desert since 2023. The last time they met, last summer at Queen’s Club on grass, Draper won 7-6 (3), 6-3. So, there’s something of a score to settle.
“So, I’m just excited about playing him again,” Alcaraz said during his post-match news conference Thursday, after defeating No. 25 seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, 6-3,m 7-6 (4). “It seems he’s in really good shape right now. I think he’s ambitious, and he always go for it. So that’s makes him a really tough opponent. I’m pretty sure he’s gonna be one of the toughest on the tour in the future or in the next year.
“Just really happy to share these kinds of moments with him. I also think it’s going to be a really good match to watch and to play.”
Sweet 1️⃣6️⃣@carlosalcaraz defeats Cerundolo 6-3 7-6 for the last SF spot & extends his Indian Wells winning streak to 16 matches!#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/5bsIxbBFlm
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 14, 2025
Draper was full of praise for Alcaraz, kind of like a mutual admiration society.
“Carlos, you know, he’s obviously a great champion, already doing amazing things in the game, so good for the sport not only for the players but for also spectators to watch him,” Draper said. “I think, you know, he’s setting the benchmark really high, and that’s good for a player like myself because I watch him and play against him, and I think what I need to do to be at his level and to hopefully compete for big events.
“He brings so much to the court, especially in these conditions. He absolutely loves these courts. And yeah, it would be another opportunity for me to show, you know, hopefully that I belong at the top again.”
You don’t want to miss this @BNPPARIBASOPEN | #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/0HcisjEDDq
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 14, 2025
Around the Indian Wells Tennis Garden
• Top seeds Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia advanced to Saturday evening’s men’s doubles final with a 62-minute 6-3, 6-4 victory over wild cards Christian Harrison and Evan King of the United States. It was the fourth consecutive straight-set victory for the El Salvadoran/Croatian duo this week, who are co-ranked World No. 1.
Top seeds doing top seeds things @CheloArevaloATP & Mate Pavic advance to the men’s doubles final with a 6-3 6-4 win over Harrison/King.#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/yuvP2ifz3j
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 14, 2025
In the final, Arevalo and Pavic will oppose Sebastian Korda of the United States and Jordan Thompson of Australia, who rallied to win 3-6, 6-3, 10-8 over Fernando Romboli of Brazil and John-Patrick Smith of Australia, in an hour and 18 minutes.
US Open champions ➡️ Indian Wells champions @SaraErrani & Andrea Vavassori take the mixed doubles title by defeating Mattek-Sands/Pavic 6-7 6-3 [10-8].#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/xrpkkPnHVs
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 14, 2025
• BNP Paribas has extended its title sponsorship of the BNP Paribas Open through 2029, it was announced Friday. This makes the bank the longest running title sponsor in the event’s 49-year history (1976-2019, 2021-present).
BNP Paribas began its sponsorship of the ATP/WTA 1000 combined event in 2009 and has played a crucial role in the tournament’s ongoing success, which includes growth in fan attendance at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, as well as the increased economic impact on the Coachella Valley. The tournament has also won Tournament of the Year Awards by both the ATP and WTA Tours for a record-setting 10 consecutive years.
“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with BNP Paribas,” Tommy Haas, tournament director, said in a statement. “Their support has been instrumental in making the BNP Paribas Open the world-class destination that it is today. We look forward to continuing to work with BNP Paribas in the coming years to build upon the tradition of excellence we have created together and provide fans with the unparalleled experience, thrilling matches and unforgettable moment that they’ve come to expect.”
BNP Paribas has extended its title sponsorship of the BNP Paribas Open through 2029, making the bank the longest running title sponsor in the event’s history.@BNPParibas | #TennisParadise
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 14, 2025
Friday’s BNP Paribas Open results
Saturday’s BNP Paribas Open order of play
By the numbers
Jack Draper of Great Britain is the fifth British man to reach the Indian Wells semifinals in tournament history. He joins Andy Murray, Tim Henman, Cameron Norrie and Greg Rusedski. Norrie (2021) is the only British champion of the event.
“Quotable …”
“Well, I think he has a lot of rhythm, a lot of pace; great shots. I think his style of play suits pretty well to these conditions well. I think his forehand with topspin bounce a lot, and big serve.
“I mean, the times that I have played against him, I think two of them he got injured, and the last one recently in Australia. So I’m just excited about playing him again.”
– Two-time defending champion and second seed Carlos Alcaraz on Jack Draper, his semifinal opponent.
