Medvedev Advances Past Draper to Reach Indian Wells Semifinals
Two-time finalist set to clash with Alcaraz next
March 13, 2026
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Daniil Medvedev edges closer to his inaugural Indian Wells title.
By Grant Thompson
Daniil Medvedev dominated defending champion Jack Draper with a score of 6-1, 7-5 on Thursday at the BNP Paribas Open, marking the fourth consecutive year he has advanced to the semifinals as the 11th seed.
Chasing his first Indian Wells crown, Medvedev enters the semis riding an impressive eight-match winning streak, following a title victory in Dubai. The 30-year-old has won an astonishing 16 sets in a row since a setback against Stefanos Tsitsipas at the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam.
“The first set was unreal; I felt like I couldn’t miss a shot,” Medvedev expressed during his on-court interview. “The level of play was just phenomenal. In the second set, he really pushed me hard and had his chances. I had one at 4-all where I could’ve done better, but you know how it goes. Overall, I’m thrilled with my performance and eager for what’s next.”
Full throttle ahead 🏎️
With a stellar performance, @DaniilMedwed seals his place in the semifinals! @BNPPARIBASOPEN | #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/sKkr2V6ShP
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 13, 2026
Medvedev dominated the opening set in a mere 24 minutes, while Draper appeared drained, still recovering from his thrilling two-hour-and-35-minute battle against five-time champion Novak Djokovic the day prior.
Demonstrating his exceptional court coverage, Medvedev unleashed his precise flat backhand, relentlessly targeting Draper’s forehand corner. Draper finally had a breakthrough opportunity while leading 3-2 in the second set, but Medvedev fired an ace to erase that hope. The former world No. 1 followed up with two more aces to wrap up that service game with flair.
In a critical moment of the second set, Medvedev seized a crucial break at 5-5. During that crucial point, Draper was called for hindrance, and after a video review, chair umpire Aurelie Tourte awarded Medvedev the point.
To secure a spot in the final, Medvedev faces World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 6-2, including victories in the 2023 and 2024 Indian Wells finals. If Medvedev makes it to the championship match, he will re-enter the Top 10 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time since July.
With 17 wins this season, Medvedev stands at the forefront of the ATP Tour. He joins an elite group of four players — alongside Rafael Nadal (2006-13), Novak Djokovic (2011-16), and Alcaraz (2022-25) — to reach the Indian Wells semifinals for four consecutive years.
