Jack Draper rallied from a set down to defeat Roberto Bautista Agut 3‑6, 6‑3, 6‑2, opening his title defence at Indian Wells. His win was followed by a strong showing in the women’s draw from Sonay Kartal, the British No 2, who twice broke back to stay in the contest and overcame No 20 seed Emma Navarro 6‑1, 3‑6, 7‑6 (2).
Kartal, ranked world No 54, surged ahead in the first set but required a medical timeout, after which Navarro levelled the match in the second. Serving first in the decider, the Briton could not press her opponent and was broken in the ninth game by the American. Kartal answered by breaking back, yet she could not retain her serve immediately, giving the world No 25 another chance to serve for the match at 6‑5. Refusing to surrender, Kartal saved a match point, broke again and then lost only two points in the tie‑break.
Speaking after the match, Kartal said: “I’m really proud of how I fought through that. It would have been easy to give up, but matches like this make you proud of yourself.”
Draper, Britain’s men’s No 1, is extending his comeback after an eight‑month lay‑off with an arm injury and played his first ATP event since Queen’s in June, having lost in the second round in Dubai last week.
The 24‑year‑old, who still wears a protective sleeve on his left arm, appeared unsettled in the opening set, with a few errant returns costing him. He found his rhythm at the start of the second, using more power; a series of clean returns culminated in a down‑the‑line backhand winner that gave him a 2‑0 lead.
A solid service hold from the world No 14 steadied his play, and he surged to 5‑2 with another love‑service game, comfortably sealing the second set.
In the final set, Draper varied his tactics, breaking in the third and seventh games to lead 5‑2. Bautista Agut fought back, creating three break‑point chances in the next game, but Draper repelled them all with strong serves and closed out a hard‑won victory in one hour and 46 minutes.
“It felt amazing. I’ve really felt good here,” Draper said in his post‑match interview. “It’s nice to be back where I have great memories, although I was a little under‑prepared after missing so much tennis.
“I was up against a very tough opponent in Roberto Bautista. The first set was a bit shaky, but I managed to find a spark.
“Hopefully I can keep improving from here and play the way I want. These wins mean a lot to me, especially as I return to the tour.
“The injury wasn’t a short‑term thing – it was eight months. I missed a lot of competitive tennis and I can feel that. I’m a bit off at times. My practice levels are fine, but on match court my consistency is still wavering.
“But I think that will settle as I play more and get back into the rhythm.”
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