Carlos Alcaraz has admitted he was upset after a controversial defeat to history-maker Jack Draper at Indian Wells.
Brit star Draper won 6-1, 0-6, 6-4, sending him into a first Masters 1000 final and the world top 10.
AFPDraper’s raw emotion was there for all to see as he beat Alcaraz to reach the final at Indian Wells[/caption]
The Spainard had an uncharacteristic opening stanza, strewn with errors and nerves.
But he roared back by bagelling his opponent in impressive style.
However, a chaotic match reached it’s peak in the final set when one point saw two VAR reviews.
Umpire Mohamed Lahyani called a double-bounce with the score at 1-1 and 15-15.
However, Draper had clearly got to the ball before the second of them, offering a cute drop shot which caught out Alacaraz.
Lahyani rquested a replayed point to resolve the issue but Draper immediately sought a second review.
He felt that the umpire’s call had not hindered his Spanish opponent and he should have been given the point.
And the second review also agreed.
That swung it things back in Draper’s favour and he then won out a fiercely competitive second set.
A win for Alcaraz would have seen him on for a third consecutive Indian Wells title, but he insisted he was only upset with himself and not with the VAR interventions.
He told reporters: “Well, I mean, obviously I wanted to win the third in a row, but, I mean, I can’t pretend to win every match. I am not as upset about not getting the third one in a row.
“I am upset about myself, about the way that I approached the match, the way that I felt during the whole day, that I couldn’t calm down myself.
“That’s, for me, the most disappointed thing that I’m feeling right now, because, I mean, is probably one of the worst sets that I have played in my whole career, the first set.
“So that means how nervous I was, you know, before the match, during the whole day. So that’s, for me, it is really disappointing. How much it’s gonna take to take the upset? Not too much. Not too much. Because I consider myself a person who learns from the fails, from the losses.
“The last time that I lost here was the semifinal, and after all, I won Miami, so I think I will go for it. I will learn from that match, and I will make the most of myself in Miami.”
It was an emotional win in many ways for Draper, and comes almost exactly two months after Alcaraz had a wholesome message for his rival at the Australian Open.
GettyDraper is now on the cusp of glory[/caption]
There the Brit was forced to retire injured but the Spaniard had some special words for his fallen foe.
The four-time Grand Slam champion wrote on one of the cameras: “You will be where you deserved.
“Get well soon, Jack.”
And after the Indian Wells defeat, Alcaraz continued with his kind words.
“Well, I mean, I think he didn’t play at his best level today. I think everybody saw it.
“Today, it was a match that who better play in these conditions wins, and it was to his side.
“I remember, you know, in January when I played him in Australia, he had to retire. I said, ‘You will be where you deserve.’
“And he deserves to be top 10. He deserves to play a final in the Masters 1000. I am happy about him because I didn’t doubt about his level, about himself.
“He’s ready to stay there for a long time. He’s ready to play for the big events, for the big tournaments.
“I wasn’t surprised about what I saw today. Just it wasn’t an easy match for him, playing for the top 10, playing for the first Masters 1000 final, and I think he did great.
“He dealt with the nerves better than I did. So great to him and all the best in the final.”
And Draper himself was delighted to make it to the final where he will now face 12th seed Holger Rune.
GettyAlcaraz showed his fantastic sportsmanship at all times and only ever blamed himself for the defeat[/caption]
“I feel incredible obviously to beat Carlos in this sort of stage in the tournament on that court,” said Draper.
“I have watched the top players in the world play on that court for many, many years now, and it feels amazing, honestly, both those things.
“Obviously I’ve got one more to go tomorrow, so all my sort of feelings and emotions on that, but obviously very proud of myself and the achievement.”
On Instagram he added: “Huge respect to Carlos Alcaraz. Looking forward to many more battles. Final tomorrow.”
While Alcaraz replied: “Can’t wait for the revenge! Good luck in the final!”
