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:
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic end coaching partnership after six months
Back to events in Rome in a moment, but there was major news yesterday as Andy Murray’s time as coach of Novak Djokovic came to a sudden end ahead of the French Open.
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic end coaching partnership after six months
Italian Open
The weather looks ok for now in Rome, though there could be a passing shower or two this afternoon. One rather hopes they are not as inconveniently timed as yesterday, when Lorenzo Musetti’s eventual victory over Daniil Medvedev was halted on match point.
Lorenzo Musetti beats Daniil Medvedev after rain delay suspends clash on match point
Carlos Alcaraz battles through
Things weren’t at all smooth for Carlos Alcaraz yesterday, either, with Karen Khachanov giving him plenty to fret about before the Spaniard eventually came through. Alcaraz admitted afterwards that he was not feeling at his best.
"It feels amazing to get the win at the end against a really big and really tough guy like Khachanov," Alcaraz said.
"Physically I struggled a bit. Not any pain on any part of the body, but I was just tired. The match was really tough. I had to run a lot, so I'm just really proud of the way I fought for every ball."
How Jack Draper can claim huge French Open boost against Carlos Alcaraz
A win would be huge in the context of this tournament, obviously, but Jack Draper could also receive a big boost to his French Open hopes with victory today. Jamie Braidwood explains the ranking permutations that could see him end up as the fourth seed at Roland Garros.
How Jack Draper can claim huge French Open boost against Carlos Alcaraz
Jack Draper ‘bamboozled’ but not beaten as British No 1 sets up Carlos Alcaraz clash at Italian Open
It was a little bit hairy for Jack Draper yesterday, the British No 1 thrown off his game by the enigmatic, unpredictable Corentin Moutet. But Draper eventually came through to set up this clash:
Jack Draper ‘bamboozled’ but not beaten to set up Alcaraz clash at Italian Open
The path for Jack Draper to seize statement victory over Carlos Alcaraz in Italian Open
It could be a strangely big day in the career of Jack Draper, a player so obviously on the rise but aiming to prove that he can already beat the best on a surface with which he is not necessarily yet fully familiar. Flo Clifford explains what he needs to do to beat Carlos Alcaraz on clay.
How Jack Draper can make statement with victory over Carlos Alcaraz in Rome clash
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch all of the action from the Italian Open live on Sky Sports, with coverage throughout the tournament.
A live stream will be available via Sky Go.
When is Jack Draper vs Carlos Alcaraz?
Jack Draper vs Carlos Alcaraz will take place on Wednesday 14 May at the Italian Open.
The quarter-final is the second match scheduled on Campo Centrale, and will follow the conclusion of Coco Gauff vs Mirra Andreeva - though will not start before 2pm BST.
Draper vs Alcaraz
Jack Draper and Carlos Alcaraz collide in a tasty quarter-final as they look to roll on at the Italian Open.
Draper has climbed into the world’s top five and has a solid recent record against the Spaniard, winning two of their last three meetings, including on his way to Indian Wells success earlier this year.
The pair are yet to meet on clay, though, with Alcaraz possessing such prowess on the surface though he was given a fright by Karen Khachanov in his last outing.
The British No 1, meanwhile, had to overcome the unorthodox Corentin Moutet, fighting back to take the last-16 match and set up this encounter in Rome.
Jack Draper vs Carlos Alcaraz LIVE
A blockbuster quarter-final clash is on the cards as Jack Draper and Carlos Alcaraz vie for a place in the last four at the Italian Open. Two of the world’s best young tennis players have forged quite the rivalry over the last year or so, with Draper’s felling of the defending champion at Indian Wells still fresh in the memory - but this is a first meeting between the pair on clay, a surface on which Alcaraz has much more experience.
Can the British No 1 claim a statement win in Rome?
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