Draper stuns Alcaraz in dramatic Indian Wells semi-final

British player Jack Draper secured a milestone victory, overcoming Carlos Alcaraz with the aid of a controversial Video Assistant Referee-style decision, marking his first-ever entry into a major tournament final. This achievement signifies a major step forward in his burgeoning career.

The 23-year-old Draper stunned four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz with a 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 victory in the Indian Wells semi-final, in a match filled with twists and turns. As the top-ranked British player, Draper successfully closed out the match on his second attempt to serve for the win, a result that will also propel him into the world's top ten for the first time. This win underscores his potential to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

A pivotal moment in the match occurred in the third game of the deciding set, when Draper escaped a potentially unfavorable situation thanks to video technology, and subsequently broke Alcaraz's serve. The score was tied at 1-1, and at 15-15 on Alcaraz's serve, umpire Mohamed Lahyani ruled that the ball had bounced twice before Draper hit a drop shot. This decision significantly impacted the momentum of the game.

This was clearly an incorrect call by the umpire, but players are now able to use video technology at Indian Wells to challenge calls regarding double bounces. Draper immediately requested a replay, his challenge was successful, and Lahyani overturned the original ruling. This gave Draper a 15-30 lead, and he capitalized on the regained momentum to secure the break, ultimately setting the stage for his victory. The use of technology added a layer of drama and fairness to the match.

The left-hander will now face Danish player Holger Rune in Sunday's final, competing for the title of this Masters 1000 event. Rune, ranked No. 13 in the world, defeated Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-4, reaching his fourth Masters final in his career. This promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the sport's rising stars.