Draper knocked out as Medvedev capitalises on controversial call in Indian Wells | Tennis

Jack Draper was controversially ruled to have caused a hindrance to opponent Daniil Medvedev as his Indian Wells title defence ended in the quarter-finals.

The 24-year-old Briton, looking understandably weary from his exploits in beating Novak Djokovic less than 24 hours earlier, went down 6-1, 6-4 to the former world No 1.

The decisive moment came at 5-5 and 0-15 in the second set when umpire Aurelie Torte decided to award Medvedev a point following a video review after Draper had raised his arms at a disputed line call and was deemed to have distracted his opponent, with Medvedev going on to seal a crucial break.

The California crowd made their feelings clear as Medvedev was booed at the change of ends and after sealing victory a short time later, although Draper shook hands with both Medvedev and Torte before leaving the court.

In a one-sided first set, Draper was broken in his opening service game after a net cord fell in Medvedev’s favour at break point.

After rattling through his own service game, Medvedev produced winners down the line and cross court to move into a 4-0 lead after just 15 minutes.

Draper finally got on the board with a hold of serve to make it 5-1 but it was only a temporary reprieve as Medvedev wrapped up the set in 25 minutes.

The second set was a closer contest, although it was the Draper serve which was consistently coming under the greater pressure, with Medvedev telling his opponent he “didn’t feel great” about the incident which ultimately contributed to him sealing a semi-final spot at the end of the match.

“The first set was unreal, I couldn’t miss a ball,” Medvedev said in his on-court interview. “It was an unbelievable level. Second set, he tried to give everything he had, and he had an opportunity. I had one at 4-all, I should’ve done much better, but it happens.”

Medvedev has now reached the semi-finals in Indian Wells for the fourth consecutive year and will face Carlos Alcaraz after the world No 1 beat Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4. Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner also meet in the last four with a spot in the decider up for grabs.