On Monday, British tennis sensation Jack Draper secured his spot in the round of 16 at Indian Wells with a determined 7-5, 6-4 victory over Jenson Brooksby from the U.S.
Compared to his dominant first-round performance against Joao Fonseca, where Draper impressively clinched nine straight games, this match was far from smooth sailing. The game against Brooksby presented a tougher challenge, and Draper found himself struggling to maintain a steady performance.
In a tense first set, Draper, on the brink of what could have been his lowest-ranked loss, managed to narrowly edge past the world No. 937. The tension was palpable as Draper fell behind 1-4, even expressing his frustration by slamming his racquet on the court.
Reflecting on the match, Draper had this to say: “Jenson is a tricky player with an unusual style that keeps you on your toes,” he admitted. “Finding a rhythm was tough, and I got off to a slow start, missing some early chances.”
Despite the challenges, Draper expressed satisfaction with his perseverance. “I’m pleased with how I fought and competed,” he continued. “Even though I didn’t play my best tennis, I’m happy with how I managed to stay composed.”
Looking ahead, Draper is set to face either Taylor Fritz, the third seed and last year’s champion, or 30th seed Alejandro Tabilo, in his upcoming round of 16 match.
