Jack Draper vs Carlos Alcaraz LIVE: Italian Open result and reaction from blockbuster quarter-final
The British No 1 takes on the four-time grand slam champion in a mighty last-eight meeting
Jack Draper’s run at the Italian Open is over after a straight sets defeat to Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday afternoon. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the close contest fought between the two men who put on a centre court show that was ultimately decided by the Spaniard.
Draper started strongly and utilised his powerful serve to set down a marker and hold his first few service games whilst attacking the serve of Alcaraz. The first set was a close contest, both men made errors but both were equally impressive from the baseline with passing winners and driving hits.
Alcaraz found plenty of joy with his drop shot and that was the difference that took him to a 6-4 victory helping him win three games in a row at the back end of the set.
He did the same in the second set to clinch a 6-4 6-4 win overall but Draper can feel hard done bay. He created twice as many break point opportunities as Alcaraz but the Spaniard’s defence was incredible. He held serve having been forced to deuce in four consecutive games before running through a dip in form from Draper to take the win and earna spot in the semi-finals.
Relive the updates from the Italian Open quarter-final with our live blog below:
Jack Draper 4-6 0-1 Carlos Alcaraz* - BREAK!
Oh no. A seemingly simple forehand return from Draper clips the top of the tape in the first game of the second set.
That mistake is followed by another error before an unbelievable forehand down the line beats Draper at the net and sets up three break points.
Alcaraz comes forward and wins the game with a drop shot volley.
That was incredibly good.
Jack Draper 4-6 Carlos Alcaraz
Game and set Alcaraz!
From deuce, he forces Draper to the left and turns a forehand to the opposite side of the court.
Draper then pushes a backhand just wide and the game goes to the Spaniard who closes out the first set.
Jack Draper 4-5 Carlos Alcaraz*
Carlos Alcaraz has won 12 of the last 15 points and from 4-2 down leads 5-4.
Draper, who needs to win this game, takes the first point after a backhand drop shot hits the net from Alcaraz.
The Spaniard responds with an electric backhand that puts Draper off balance. Alcaraz then sweeps his forehand return past the Brit and moves to 15-15.
Draper isn’t letting him dictate though. He powers a forehand to the baseline and forces Alcaraz to go long.
Wow! Alcaraz messes up an overhead volley and the ball sits up for Draper who sprints across court and smokes his winner past Alcaraz.
That’s two break points for Draper but his opponent saves the first one. Alcaraz then serves to the backhand and forces the return long.
Deuce.
Jack Draper 4-5 Carlos Alcaraz*
Stop it! Draper fizzes a backhand down the line and kisses the chalk to win the first point of the next game.
It’s a wonderful shot but Alcaraz refocuses, takes the next point and wins another with a dainty drop shot and volley combo.
Draper then pushes one too wide and there are a couple of break points for Alcaraz now.
The Brit serves to the backhand but hooks a return over the back of court. Alcaraz breaks and has a serve for the set.
*Jack Draper 4-4 Carlos Alcaraz
That is lovely from Carlos Alcaraz. He plays a drop shot to bring Draper up to the net then volleys back a winner.
The Spaniard then takes the next point thanks to a Draper error before a forceful backhand from the Brit sees Alcaraz drive one into the net.
30-15.
Alcaraz pulls out the fist pump after executing a superb drop shot slice but his wide serve is launched back by Draper who closes the gap again.
Alcaraz closes out the game though and draws level again.
Jack Draper 4-3 Carlos Alcaraz* - BREAK!
Alcaraz responds to his broken serve with sheer aggression.
He takes the attack to Draper’s serve and wins the first two points of the next game while working the Brit left-to-right.
An inside out forehand from Draper almost gets him on the board but Alcaraz scrambles across and unloads a forehand of his own to move 0-40 in front.
Three break points for the Spaniard but he only needs one. Draper hooks a backhand too wide and this first set is back on serve.
*Jack Draper 4-2 Carlos Alcaraz - BREAK!
Oh incredible stuff!
Jack Draper is the first to set up a couple of break points but the margins are slim. He gets the ball to spin, just slightly, away from Alcaraz whose backhand return lands just long of the baseline.
Alcaraz saves the first break point but a double fault sends Draper into the lead in this first set!
Jack Draper 3-2 Carlos Alcaraz*
Draper is targeting Alcaraz’s body whenever he needs to go through a second serve.
That’s been a successful tactic and the serve is dominating so far.
Neither man has managed to get more than two points from the other’s serve in a game yet.
*Jack Draper 2-2 Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz seems as comfortable on his own serve as Draper is on his.
Two powerful forehands and a blistering cross-court backhand puts him up to 40-0 in quick succession.
Alcaraz then meets the return of serve with a spinning sliced. He approaches the net then dinks a backhand volley over it to win the game to love.
Jack Draper 2-1 Carlos Alcaraz*
So far so good for Draper on his own serve. Alcaraz has made a few errors gifting points up to his opponet but Draper’s pace and accuracy is helping him.
He moves 30-15 ahead and peppers the Alcaraz backhand before a miscue from his opponent floats the ball wide.
Coming up to the net, Draper powers a forehand across court and Alcaraz finds the net.
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