Cameron Norrie claimed a major third-round scalp at Indian Wells. The British number two reached the fourth round by upsetting the sixth seed, Australia’s Alex de Minaur, 6-4 6-4.
Norrie’s Victory Over De Minaur
Norrie is the 27th seed in the men’s draw. He played above that status as he earned three breaks en route to victory over De Minaur.
Cameron Norrie celebrates his victory against Alex de Minaur.
Draper Advances, Set to Face Djokovic
British number one Jack Draper beat Argentina’s world number 20 Francisco Cerundolo 6-1 7-5 to set up a last-16 meeting with 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic. Draper, 24, returned last week after an eight-month absence from the ATP Tour because of an arm injury. The world number 14 continued his comeback with a more commanding performance than he delivered during his second-round win over Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut.
Draper claimed the first set inside 32 minutes before Cerundolo provided a sterner test in the second, breaking Draper’s serve in the opening game. A further break meant Cerundolo had the chance to serve for the set at 5-4 up, but Draper resisted and took the next three games to clinch victory on his first match point.
Draper on Facing Djokovic
Draper’s win means he will face 38-year-old Djokovic for the first time since he took the first set off the defending champion on his Wimbledon debut in 2021.
“I’ve been watching him since I was a young boy and in my opinion he’s the greatest player of all-time,” said Draper.
“When you come up against him you know he’s going to be there mentally, you know he’s going to make it an incredibly tough match and play some crazy tennis. I’m going to have to be ready for that.
“Anyone who is in the game and knows tennis, knows that what he has done in the sport and what he is still doing is mind-blowing.”
Other Results from Indian Wells
The victories for Norrie and Draper came a day on from fellow Briton Emma Raducanu being well beaten by American Amanda Anisimova, winning only two games and being ousted in 52 minutes. World number one Carlos Alcaraz survived a tricky encounter against France’s Arthur Rinderknech to progress to the last 16. The Spaniard trailed by a set and an early break but turned the match around for a 6-7(6) 6-3 6-2 victory, extending his perfect start.
Norrie’s next opponent will be Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata, who beat Kazakhstan’s 10th seed Alexander Bublik in three sets.