Jack Draper surges past teen sensation Joao Fonseca into Indian Wells third round

British No 1 Draper won nine straight games to put the seal on an impressive performance and progress

Pa Sport Staff
Saturday 08 March 2025 20:58 GMT
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Jack Draper looked in impressive form as he progressed in California
Jack Draper looked in impressive form as he progressed in California (Getty Images)

British No 1 Jack Draper pulled off a stunning 6-4 6-0 win over Brazil’s rising star Joao Fonseca to coast into the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.

Fonseca, 18, had seen off Jacob Fearnley in his first-round match, but came up second best against Draper, who won nine straight games to put the seal on an impressive performance at Indian Wells.

After gaining an early break in the third game of the opening set, Draper, 23, was then unable to hold putting the match quickly back on serve.

There was little between the pair until the ninth game when World No 14 Draper forced home another break opportunity, leaving him serving for the set.

Draper then had to save three break points before finally taking a second set-point chance when Fonseca’s return was wide.

The Briton maintained momentum during the early exchanges of the second set, breaking in the first game after coming to the net to dispatch a volley following his fine passing shot down the line.

A hold to love put Draper in control, before Fonseca sent a sliced cross-court backhand wide to fall further behind following another break

It remained one-way traffic as Draper held for a 4-0 lead and then had two break points on Fonseca’s next service game, taking the first after another wayward return from the back of the court was sent into the air and long by the Brazilian.

Joao Fonseca faded after a strong start against Jack Draper at a sun-kissed Indian Wells
Joao Fonseca faded after a strong start against Jack Draper at a sun-kissed Indian Wells (Getty Images)

After firing down an ace on the opening point in the sixth game, Draper then served three double faults to give Fonseca a chance to break back.

Draper, though, saved them both, the second with another booming serve out wide, before forcing two match points, taking the second when Fonseca’s return was wide.

Next up for Draper will be American Jenson Brooksby, who pulled off a shock 6-4 6-2 win over Felix Auger-Aliassime, the World No 18.

PA

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