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 24-year-old is playing just his second ATP Tour event since last summer following nearly eight months out with an arm injury and battled to a 6-1 7-5 win over Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo.
Draper will now take on 24-time grand slam champion Djokovic for just the second time, five years after he lost in four sets on his Wimbledon debut.
“I know what to expect from Novak,” Draper said.
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Jack Draper says winning again in Indian Wells is massive for him after missing so much tennis and although he still feels off, he believes he is improving most days.
“I have been watching him since I was young. He’s obviously, I think, the greatest tennis player of all time. His mentality and just his level of tennis is always incredibly high.
“I’m going to have to play really well and take my chances but, more than anything, (I’m) just very grateful to not only be out here but to be having the opportunity to play against these guys and keep on improving my level and giving myself another chance to compete on the stages I want to be at.”
Draper dominated the opening set against 19th seed Cerundolo but twice had to come from a break down in the second and admitted he is searching for consistency.
“I think that will come the more I play,” he added.
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Highlights of the Indian Wells match between Cameron Norrie and Alex De Minaur.
It is a tough situation for Draper to be defending the biggest title of his career so soon into his comeback, and he will drop to British No 2 behind Cameron Norrie if he loses to Djokovic.
Norrie produced one of his best performances to beat sixth seed Alex De Minaur 6-4 6-4 and will next take on another Australian in qualifier Rinky Hijikata.
British women’s No 2 Sonay Kartal is also through to the fourth round, for the second straight year, after a brilliant 2-6 6-2 6-3 win over former Australian Open champion Madison Keys.
Kartal, who saved a match point against Emma Navarro in the previous round, is battling a back injury but recovered from a set down and will now face current Melbourne champion and third seed Elena Rybakina.
“At times in this match I was in discomfort with my back, so it’s a match like today which shows the fighter in me,” Kartal told BBC Sport. “On these courts I do feel I can beat anyone on any given day.”
‘Djokovic will show where Draper is at’
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Highlights of the Indian Wells tennis match between Novak Djokovic and Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Sky Sports Tennis’ Jonathan Overend:
“Draper saw Cerundolo off in straight sets for a first victory over the Argentine, having lost to him twice before in Lyon and Manchester on Davis Cup duty.
“There were some interesting moments in this match – the variety of shots Draper played, the arc on the forehand, the timing of some of the serves and volleys.
“Draper has knocked off two victories at Indian Wells. If he can knock off three, that really would be something, because his next opponent is 24-time Grand Slam champion and five-time Indian Wells winner Novak Djokovic. What a prospect that is.
“I remember that day on Centre Court very well – a young Jack Draper, only seven years or so after he was in the stands as a kid watching Andy Murray win Wimbledon, suddenly opening the tournament against the great man Djokovic and winning the first set.
“They haven’t played since. This will be a good test of where Jack is at.”
Watch the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells live on Sky Sports until March 15. Stream tennis with NOW, contract-free.