Jack Draper delivered a stunning upset at the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday, March 15, 2025, by defeating two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 0-6, 6-4. This marked the end of Alcaraz's impressive 16-match winning streak at the ATP Masters 1000 event held in Indian Wells, California, and it propelled Draper—seeded 13th—into the tournament final.
Draper’s victory not only showcased his capabilities as he is set to breakinto the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time, but it also highlighted Alcaraz's missed opportunity to become the youngest player to win three consecutive singles titles at any ATP Tour event—a feat only achieved by legends Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Reflecting on the match, Draper shared, "It was a strange match in all honesty. Carlos came out a little flat, I sensed. I had a chance in the first game of the second, and he came up with an ace. … What happened to him happened to me, I got tight, I had low energy. Against the top players, they can change their momentum very quickly. I got lost out there for 25 minutes, but I was really proud of my competitiveness, my attitude, and I managed to get over the line." His resilience and tactical insights were on full display as he adapted his game after losing the second set.
Alcaraz, the world number two, had previously won his 17th ATP Tour title at Rotterdam just weeks earlier. He expressed his disappointment following the match, noting, "Missing out on three consecutive titles is always tough, but there are lessons to take and I’ll come back stronger."
The final on Sunday, March 16, 2025, is set to feature Draper facing 12th-seeded Holger Rune, who defeated fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev 7-6, 6-4 to secure his own ticket to the championship match. Rune's recent victory against Medvedev—who had been aiming for his third straight final—marked Rune's 150th tour-level win. Commenting on the match against Medvedev, Rune said, "It means everything. The job is not over yet, but it feels amazing. Playing Daniil is one of the toughest challenges for me on tour." The young Danish player is determined to build on his momentum, having snapped a seven-match losing streak in semifinals.
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka is set to face 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva of Russia in the women's final, promising an action-packed finish to the tournament across both men’s and women’s competitions.
Draper’s win is significant not only for his career but also for the future of British tennis, where expectations are high as he continues to develop his game and build on his recent successes, which include titles won last year in Vienna and Stuttgart. This latest achievement sends ripples through the tennis community as fans witness the rise of new stars challenging established champions.
With Draper now on track to make his mark on the final, tennis enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting what promises to be another thrilling showdown, adding to the legacy of the BNP Paribas Open, and sparking discussions about the future of the game and the next generation of tennis talent.