Jack Draper produced one of the best performances of his career to beat Novak Djokovic on Wednesday evening.
Draper, who is playing in his first Masters 1000 event since returning from a long spell on the sidelines, defeated the 24-time Grand Slam champion 4-6, 6-4, 7-6.
The British number one will now face Daniil Medvedev, who dispatched Alex Michelsen in the fourth round.
It was an extremely impressive performance by Draper, who fought tooth and nail to get back into the match after dropping the first set.
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Brad Gilbert, the former coach of three-time major champion Andy Murray, has since weighed in on Draper’s victory, praising the 23-year-old’s stellar performance.
Brad Gilbert praises Jack Draper’s ‘tremendous’ defensive play
Brad Gilbert is one of the most well-recognised coaching figures in tennis history.
The American, who achieved a career-high ranking of world number four as a player, was an instrumental figure in the success of Andre Agassi and has most recently worked with Coco Gauff.
Gilbert can spot a talented tennis player when he sees one, and Jack Draper certainly meets those requirements.
In a post on X [formerly Twitter], Gilbert said: “I was so impressed last night with madman [Jack] Draper.
“His defending skills were tremendous and hung in there on many extended rallies with Djoker [Djokovic] – he [Draper] had barely played in last 9 months.
“If he can stay healthy for full year, then we could really see where his ranking can be.”
Draper, who was sent a social media message by Djokovic after the match, could play another superstar in the semi-finals; should he defeat Daniil Medvedev in the last eight.
Draper could play Carlos Alcaraz in the last four; a player Draper beat in the semi-finals last year on his way to winning the Indian Wells title.
If Draper were to advance to a second consecutive Indian Wells final, he would play one of Jannik Sinner, Learner Tien, Alexander Zverev or Arthur Fils.
Jack Draper faces a red-hot Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev has been in blistering form as of late.
The Russian, who won just one Grand Slam match in 2025, has revitalised his career at the start of the year, winning the Brisbane International and Dubai Tennis Championships.
Medvedev has continued his superb form this week, beating Alejandro Tabilo, Sebastian Baez and Alex Michelsen without dropping a set.
During an interview with Ziggo Sport on Wednesday, Medvedev was asked: “When was the last time you played as well as you’re playing now?
Well, in Dubai,” Medvedev said while laughing. “But if we talk about, for example, last year— probably I didn’t have even once, even in the end of the year, when I was playing much better.
“I didn’t have once exactly the level I’m having now, and the level of confidence in your shots, in your game, and the structure of your game.
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
“So I’m feeling great, I’m feeling confident. It’s a great feeling. But you know, a lot of tough opponents that want you to disturb this feeling. So you need to do your best to not get disturbed.”
Medvedev beat Draper in their only previous meeting at the 2024 Italian Masters. Medvedev won the round of 64 match 7-5, 6-4.
