Indian Wells: Jack Draper must 'get over' beating Carlos Alcaraz to face Holger Rune in final

Jack Draper cannot linger on celebrating a great victory over Carlos Alcaraz as he faces Holger Rune in the final at Indian Wells, live on Sky Sports on Sunday from 8.30pm.

In Saturday's semi-final, Draper scored one of the most significant wins in his career when he overcame Alcaraz, the Wimbledon champion who's a two-time victor at Indian Wells.

The Briton beat Alcaraz 6-1 0-6 6-4 to reach the final after Rune, the 12th seed in this competition, had defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, 7-6 6-4.

• Jack Draper stuns Carlos Alcaraz to reach first Masters 1000 final
• Latest tennis news | Tennis scores, results and schedule
• Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW
• Sky Sports Tennis podcast - subscribe and download

Draper's victory sends him into an ATP Masters 1000 final for the first time and ensured he would rise into the world's top 10 for the first time.

"It feels unbelievable," Draper told Sky Sports. "I've been through so much the last few years with injuries and setbacks.

"It feels incredible, but I've got another one."

He added: "You've got to get over wins like today, and all my focus and energy is on making sure I do all the right things to give myself the best chance to win the tournament."

It's a point in his career that Draper, who reached the semi-finals of the US Open last year, has been determined to reach. He wants to keep this run going.

"I've been through a lot in my few years with playing and especially the last ones with some injuries and a lot of hard work to always try and get back to a decent level," he said.

"It was my goal at the end of last year that I obviously had some good results, but I want to really achieve some consistency and get to the point where I'm pushing these top players in the world in the biggest tournaments."

Draper is now relishing the final against Rune, spurred on by defeating an elite player like Alcaraz.

"That will give me so much confidence," he said. "Obviously each day as it comes, you feel different.

"Against the top players in the world, they can change their momentum very quickly. I got lost out there for 25 minutes, but in the third, I was really proud of my competitiveness, my attitude and I somehow managed to get over the line.

"I thought I was going to feel really energised [on Saturday] after a day off but I kind of felt the opposite. I'll be more aware of that.

"More aware of the way I've been feeling today and then I'll make sure I lift myself even more the final so that doesn't happen."

Henman: Draper has a great chance in final

Sky Sports pundit Tim Henman said: "It was an amazing performance. Not necessarily the match that we were expecting. Jack absolutely dominated that first set 6-1 and then looked like he really struggled with energy levels and Alcaraz came through a couple of tight games and the beginning of the second set and suddenly it was 6-0 and one set all.

"That's when I think Jack did such a good job. Stepped away, had to regroup, regain that momentum and even when he was up 5-2 with a double break it wasn't over. You know Alcaraz is going to keep fighting, but Jack did so well to get over the line.

"Rune hasn't had the best of years but he played a very, very smart match against Medvedev, changing the pace, using the slow slice then really injecting power with those amazing ground strokes. Let's not forget he's won a Masters 1000 before, he's been in another final, so he has that experience.

"But I feel with the momentum that Jack has had, the results he's had, beating Alcaraz in the semi-finals, I give him a great chance in the final."

Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.

(c) Sky Sports 2025: Indian Wells: Jack Draper must 'get over' beating Carlos Alcaraz to face Holger Rune in final