Draper topples tired Djokovic in slugfest

Alcaraz marches on, Medvedev prevails

- 

Jack Draper plays a backhand return against Novak Djokovic during their fourth round match in Indian Wells. AFP

(AFP)

Novak Djokovic was dumped out by Jack Draper in a slugfest on Wednesday as the defending champion won 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) to reach the quarterfinals at Indian Wells.

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz sailed into the last eight of the Masters 1000 event for the fifth straight year and there were straight-sets wins for Daniil Medvedev and Cameron Norrie.

But Britain's Draper did it the hard way, wearing down 38-year-old Djokovic in a punishing third set to deny the Serb superstar his first return to the quarterfinals since he won his fifth Indian Wells title in 2016.

"I came out here tonight and I won that match through determination and trying to problem-solve and do my best and have a great attitude," said Draper, who kept the former world No.1 on the move with multiple drop shots.