Britain’s Jack Draper thrashed Denmark’s Holger Rune 6-2 6-2 to gather the most important title of his profession at Indian Wells on Sunday with a spot within the prime 10 assured for the primary time.
Jack Draper of Nice Britain poses with the trophy after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark in the course of the males’s closing of the BNP Paribas Open(Getty Photos by way of AFP)
The 23-year-old Draper has suffered a lingering hip concern this yr however seemed superb as he zipped across the court docket with ease on Sunday, firing 21 winners to cap an outstanding week within the California desert.
Enjoying in his fourth Masters 1000 closing, Rune had the advantage of expertise however might by no means discover his rhythm as he made seven winners towards 18 unforced errors.
“I lost first round here last year so I didn’t get to experience the tournament too much,” Draper mentioned. “I would say this is one of my favourite tournaments now.”
Enjoying in his first 1000-level closing, Draper bludgeoned his opponent with seven aces within the first set, having hit a forehand winner to interrupt within the first recreation and outfoxed Rune on the internet within the third to go up one other break.
The Dane’s frustrations boiled over early within the second set, the place he shouted at his staff earlier than dropping serve within the first recreation. He handed Draper one other break within the penultimate recreation with a backhand shot that he despatched broad.
Draper fired a booming forehand shot on match level and smiled in the direction of the stands earlier than kneeling on court docket together with his fists thrust into the air in celebration, clinching it in only one hour and 9 minutes.
“Before the match, you know, you’re thinking of all kinds of scenarios in your head, a lot of doubts,” he mentioned.
“And just what makes it even better is that, you know, just getting through those doubts and being able to play the final the way I did.”
Rune made no excuses for his efficiency, telling the group: “It never feels nice not to be able to step over the line, but that’s life sometimes.”
Draper didn’t have a simple path to the ultimate, having to beat 2022 winner Taylor Fritz within the final 16, and needed to comprise his nerves after beating back-to-back defending champion Carlos Alcaraz within the semi-finals on Saturday night time.
“I felt a bit fatigued this morning from all of the emotions of yesterday. But I’m in a final, I have worked so hard to get here,” he mentioned after the match. “There is no time to be tired. I’ve got to go out and go for it on every ball.
“And regardless of how I am feeling, simply put my head down and battle for the whole lot.”
He is the first Briton to win the title since Cameron Norrie in 2021 and will be ranked seventh now, after reaching the U.S. Open semi-final last year.
“I’ve put in quite a lot of work over time and I am so grateful to be out right here, with my physique wholesome and feeling nice within the thoughts,” Draper, who misplaced in final month’s Doha closing, instructed Sky Sports activities.
“It feels like it is all coming together on the big stage.”