Jack Draper to face 'greatest player of all time' Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells after straight-sets win over Francisco Cerundolo

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Jack Draper will face the "greatest player of all time", Novak Djokovic, at Indian Wells following his straight-sets win over Francisco Cerundolo. The British No. 1 claimed a 6-1 7-5 victory over the Argentine as he continues his title defence in California. Draper, who will face Djokovic in the fourth round, said he was "very grateful" to be back winning after his injury struggles.

Highlights: Draper makes winning start to Indian Wells defence

Video credit: SNTV

Jack Draper said he is "very grateful" to have won back-to-back matches after beating Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets at Indian Wells, setting up a fourth-round clash with the "greatest of all time", Novak Djokovic.

The 24-year-old claimed a 6-1 7-5 victory over the world No. 19 on Monday as he continued the strong start to his title defence in California.

The British No. 1 is playing in just his second ATP Tour event since pulling out in the second round of the US Open in August because of bone bruising on his left arm.

Montreal Men's Singles -

'So hard to watch' - Tearful Draper shows strain of tough summer as he loses on return

a day ago

After winning back-to-back contests in the same tournament for the first time since Queen's last summer, Draper told Sky Sports: "It's a really long time.

"In the last eight months, I've been really wanting to be back out on court, but I had to accept it was going to be a pretty long-term injury.

"It's really good to get back in the feeling that I'm able to play back-to-back matches, because there was a point where if I played one practise session, I couldn't do another one.

"To be here, I'm just very grateful, regardless of the way I'm playing and my tennis."

'My arm was shutting down' - Draper reveals extent of 'painful' bone bruising

Video credit: SNTV

He will now face world No. 3 and five-time Indian Wells champion Djokovic following his victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic.

It will be just the second meeting between the pair after the Serbian came from behind to win in four sets when they faced off at Wimbledon in 2021.

"I think the tennis is one thing, but the person, the player I’ve been watching since I was a young boy... in my opinion, he’s the greatest player of all time," Draper said.

"He’s shown year in, year out that he’s the biggest champion of them all, so when you go up against him, you know he’s going to make it an incredibly tough match and play some crazy tennis."

Highlights: Djokovic recovers to making winning start at Indian Wells

Video credit: SNTV

It was a fast start to the match from Draper, breaking his opponent in the opening game of the contest.

It was the third break of serve which sealed the first set for the Brit, who did not face a break point as he went ahead in the match.

Things were not so straightforward in the second set, though, with Draper broken straight off the bat.

The 24-year-old broke back to level things at 2-2, but found his serve wanting soon after as Cerundolo moved 5-4 ahead, with the opportunity to serve for the set.

But Draper responded with successive breaks of his own to turn things around and seal his spot in the last 16.

He will be pleased with how he started Monday's match, having gone a set behind in his second-round contest with world No. 93 Roberto Bautista-Agut and saying afterwards that he was "probably underprepared for this tournament".

Norrie 'enjoyed first point to last point' in De Minaur win

Cameron Norrie claimed a straight-sets victory over world No. 6 Alex De Minaur to reach the fourth round.

The British No. 2, who lifted the trophy at Indian Wells in 2021, claimed a 6-4 6-4 win over the Australian in one hour and 39 minutes.

Norrie saved four break points in the opening set while making the decisive break at the first opportunity, to move 4-3 ahead.

He broke De Minaur in the opening game of the second set and again to move 5-2 ahead, and despite an instant break back from the Australian, Norrie held his nerve to see out the match.

"I think I just enjoyed it from the first point to the last point," Norrie said in his post-match interview.

"I didn’t feel much pressure to be honest. I was feeling the ball so well in the warm-up and knew I was playing well - I wanted to take it to him and not overplay.

"He’s a player that you feel like you have to play perfect against and I just tried to play my game, enjoy it - it was a nice performance."

The 30-year-old will now face Rinky Hijikata for a place in the quarter-finals.

Kartal fights back to beat Keys

Britain's Sonay Kartal came from a set down to stun 2025 Australian Open winner Madison Keys.

Kartal was second best in a difficult first set but improved significantly to win 2-6 6-2 6-3 and progress to the fourth round.

It was an impressive upset from the 24-year-old, who revealed she was still struggling with a back injury.

"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."

It is the second time Kartal has reached the fourth round at Indian Wells, after last year's run that ended with defeat to Aryna Sabalenka.

The world No. 54 will face current Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina next, buoyed by her unexpected win over 15th-seed Keys.

But Kartal admitted the focus is on recovery as she looks to ensure she is in peak physical condition.

"It [the back] was a pretty big hindrance," Kartal added.

"I didn't really practise yesterday so I gave it as much recovery as I could, so I think now it's about getting recovered and doing the same exact thing to get back on the court in the next couple of days."

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