INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Jack Draper overwhelmed Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 in a bit of greater than an hour within the last of the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday, reaching two huge milestones by claiming his first Masters 1000 title and incomes his debut within the high 10 of the ATP rankings.
Draper, a 23-year-old from Britain who was seeded thirteenth on the hard-court event within the California desert, constructed up a 21-7 benefit in winners in opposition to Rune whereas additionally making fewer unforced errors.
Draper’s left-handed serve was notably vital: He hit 10 aces, gained 21 of his 23 first-serve factors and by no means allowed Rune to earn a single break level.
“You by no means know when it is your time,” stated Draper, a US Open semifinalist in September. “I misplaced first spherical right here final 12 months, so I did not get to expertise the event an excessive amount of. … However I might say that is certainly one of my favourite tournaments now, after all.”
He’ll rise from No. 14 to a career-high No. 7 within the rankings on Monday.
“I really feel,” Draper stated, “like I deserve it.”
Rune is a 21-year-old from Denmark who was seeded twelfth at Indian Wells.
Their matchup was the primary ATP Masters 1000 last anyplace between two males born within the 2000s and the primary at Indian Wells between two aged 23 or youthful since Rafael Nadal, 22, beat Andy Murray, 21, in 2009.
“Powerful day for me, however I’ve to begin with congratulating Jack,” Rune stated. “You’ve got been displaying some unimaginable tennis and, for positive, you deserved to win at the moment.”
Draper received to the ultimate by eliminating two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz within the semifinals on Saturday.
“I wasn’t anticipating this. I put in a number of work over time,” Draper stated. “I am simply so grateful and so joyful to … have the ability to play, my physique feeling wholesome and to really feel nice within the thoughts.”
Draper has battled a lingering hip concern however appeared to be in positive kind Sunday as he zipped across the courtroom with ease to enhance to 13-2 this 12 months.
He’s the primary Briton to win the title at Indian Wells since Cameron Norrie in 2021.
The Related Press and Reuters contributed to this report.