BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells 2025: Jack Draper sets up semi-final with Carlos Alcaraz after straight sets win over Ben Shelton
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Jack Draper ticked off yet another milestone late on Thursday night as the British No.1 booked his spot in a first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final with a hard-fought victory over 11th seed Ben Shelton at the BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells.
Draper showed his quality to beat the big-serving American 6-4, 7-5 in an hour and 41 minutes and set up a semi-final against two-time reigning champion and four-time Grand Slam champion, Carlos Alcaraz.
The US Open semi-finalist continues his incredible form so far in 2025, where he’s also reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and the final in Doha. So far this week he’s knocked out Joao Fonseca, followed by three home-favourites, Jenson Brooksby, world No.4 Taylor Fritz and Shelton.
"I didn't know what to expect today, honestly," said Draper after another landmark win. "I'd hit with Ben maybe once or twice, but very short practices. I've obviously watched a lot of him, he's an incredible showman with weapons, he can hit a winner from anywhere. The serve's obviously huge. He's a great competitor and he's been really consistent.
"I knew coming out here facing him on this court in front of the Americans was going to be really difficult today and it was. Huge respect to him, huge credit him. He's going to keep on winning, keep on having an amazing career, so I wish him all the best."
In a battle between two of the most effective servers so far this week, it was Draper who was able to withstand the rockets coming off Shelton’s racket – finding a way to break at 3-3 in the opening set.
However, Draper was on the backfoot early in the second set. Shelton connected on several big forehand winners in a lengthy service game for the Brit to not only break but move 3-0 in front.
Staring down 30-30 again on his serve, Draper stayed composed to see out the hold and get himself on the board, before turning the set around in the following game.
The British star conjured up the shot of the match with an outrageous forehand pass down the line, which seemed to give him the confidence to break and get back on serve.
As they fought on, Shelton started to tighten up and with the match on the line, serving at break point down at 5-5, he gambled on a big second serve which landed in the net – ultimately giving Draper the platform needed to serve out the match.
The 23-year-old is bidding to become only the second Briton to win Indian Wells after his Davis Cup teammate Cam Norrie lifted the trophy in 2021.
A victory over Alcaraz in the semi-final will confirm his place in the ATP top 10 for the first time in his career.
“It means so much to me,” Draper said reflecting on his run so far at Indian Wells. “It’s why I’m playing, why I put all the hard work in with my team, to play these matches on these courts and especially in a place like this. It’s what I’ve wanted since I was a kid and to be here now is a bit surreal.”
The 13th seed is still yet to drop a set so far in the desert as he moves on to face his toughest challenge yet against Alcaraz.
Draper was forced to retire in their most recent match in Melbourne this year, but Draper managed to get the better of the former world No.1 at The Queen’s Club in 2024 – the only match the Spaniard has lost on grass for two years. Alcaraz leads the head-to-head 3-1 and previously defeated Draper in Indian Wells in the fourth round back in 2023.
Olivia Nicholls into first WTA 1000 final
There was more British success as British doubles No.1 Olivia Nicholls battled her way into the biggest final of her career alongside Slovakia’s Tereza Mihalikova.
Nicholls and Mihalikova sealed a place in Saturday’s final after knocking out fifth seeds Su-Wei Hsieh and Shuai Zhang 7-5, 6-3 in an hour and 32 minutes.
The British, Slovakian duo saved six break points in the second set before managing to serve out their biggest win to date on their first match point.
In the final they are set to face unseeded duo Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs after they came through to beat top seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend 6-4, 4-6, 10-8.
How to watch Indian Wells
Jack Draper vs Carlos Alcaraz at the BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells is set to take place on Saturday 15 March, alongside Olivia Nicholls’ doubles final – full schedule to be confirmed.
You can watch all the action live exclusively on Sky Sports and via NOW TV.
