Tennis: Draper downs Rune to clinch Indian Wells Open title

Jack Draper raced past Holger Rune to win the Indian Wells Open final on Monday morning (AEDT), claiming his first ATP Masters 1000 title in emphatic fashion in California.

The top-ranked British tennis player came into the championship match as only a slight favourite across the best bookmakers, yet he dominated Rune from the first point to win 6-2, 6-2.

Draper served brilliantly, winning 91% of first-serve points, and relentlessly targeted Rune’s forehand, drawing 20 errors from the Dane while banking 21 winners himself.

“It feels incredible to win here,” Draper said afterwards.

“I have been watching this tournament since I was a young guy, watching all the champions play on this big court.

“It means the world to me, honestly, to be able to be a champion here.”

Draper entered the Indian Wells Open final off the back of a standout performance against Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday, where he won in a deciding set over the two-time defending champion.

The result meant that regardless of how his match against Rune went, Draper would crack the world’s top 10 for the first time.

“Definitely a big moment for me, getting inside the top 10,” he said.

“To win my first Masters title just adds to my inner belief and my confidence.”

The 23-year-old was quick to declare that he has loftier ambitions, however, and is not resting on his laurels following the biggest success of his career.

“Obviously I want to be a great player, and I want to achieve amazing things in this sport,” he said.

“My main goal is keep on improving and keep on knuckling down. 

“I know there is a long way ahead of me. 

“I’m very ambitious. I don’t want to just stop here. I want to keep on going.”

Despite Draper’s breakthrough, tennis betting sites have kept his odds steady for the French Open ($41), Wimbledon ($13) and the US Open ($21).

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