Jack Draper has etched his name in the annals of tennis history by making it to his first Masters 1000 semifinal. But he’s up against two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, a formidable adversary in any competition. Draper’s hunger for victory is palpable as he said, “I’m never content with anything. I always want to have more wins and more opportunities to play top players.” A win here would catapult him into the Top 10. But defeating Alcaraz on his favored turf, Indian Wells, is a Herculean task, a fact even Alcaraz himself admits labeling Draper a ‘tough opponent’. Will Alcaraz reign supreme or will Draper turn the tables?
Carlos Alcaraz set the tone for this season by clinching a title in Rotterdam. Apart from that, his longest runs prior to Indian Wells were up to the Quarterfinals in Melbourne and Doha. At Indian Wells, he’s already outpaced his previous records and is poised to compete in his ninth ATP Masters 1000 SF. He secured his place in the SF with a 6-3,7-6(4) victory over Francisco Cerundolo, extending his Indian Wells winning streak to 16 matches.
In contrast, Jack Draper’s standout achievement this season was making it to the finals of the 2025 Qatar Open. At Indian Wells, he ousted the big-serving American, Ben Shelton, with a 6-4,7-5 victory, under challenging weather conditions. Prior to that, Draper also overpowered Taylor Fritz and Jenson Brooksby, both American players, in the Round of 16.
The history between Alcaraz and Draper is not extensive, but it’s intense. They’ve faced each other four times in their careers. Currently, Alcaraz leads the head-to-head record with three wins to Draper’s one. This will be their second encounter at Indian Wells.
Taking a look at their stats from this season, Alcaraz has a 15-3 win-loss record, and a victory in this match would inch him closer to Alexander Zverev, who is currently placed second. Draper, on the other hand, has an 11-3 win-loss record in 2025.
Draper, a natural right-hander who plays left-handed, is recognized for his robust baseline game, formidable serve, and deft touch at the net. His left-handed serve, known as the ‘can opener’ for its curving and slicing ability, is a key weapon. Draper’s agility and game variation are also significant aspects of his play.
Alcaraz, on the other hand, is renowned for his aggressive all-court style, marked by a powerful forehand and a reliable backhand, along with an array of other shots that include effective drop shots and net play. He often maneuvers his opponents into a defensive position before delivering his signature drop shots.
If Alcaraz wins this match, he would be just one step away from becoming the youngest player to win three consecutive singles titles at any ATP Tour event. He would join the elite club of Roger Federer (2004-06) and Novak Djokovic (2014-16) who have achieved this feat at Indian Wells. For Alcaraz, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and his resilience will likely be the key to overcoming this SF hurdle.