Jack Draper can break into the world’s top 10 for the first time with victory over Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells.

The British tennis star set up an eye-watering semi-final encounter with the world number three after beating Ben Shelton in straight sets in the quarter-finals in California.

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Jack Draper could become the first British male tennis player to be ranked in the top 10 since Andy Murray[/caption]

Draper overcame cold and blustery conditions to record a 6-4 7-5 win over the higher-ranked American to reach the last four of a Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career.

After claiming the opening set with its only break of serve, the Brit had to show his steel after finding himself 0-3 down in the second.

But he battled back, winning three straight games before breaking Shelton late on to triumph after an hour and 39 minutes on court.

And Draper now stands on the cusp of personal history should he emerge victorious in his semi-final clash with Alcaraz, who overcame Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-3 7-6 (7-4) in the last eight.

Currently ranked number 14 in the ATP rankings, the 23-year-old can jump up to eighth in the world with a win over the Spaniard.

But Draper, who reached the semi-finals of the US Open in September, has his feet firmly on the ground in the face of a potential breakthrough moment.

Speaking after victory over Shelton, he said of the possible career first: “It’s a bit crazy, really. So I just literally don’t think [about it].

“I just end up practising, eating, playing Monopoly Deal, getting ready for my match, competing as hard as I can.

“The result is the result, and then if I win, then great. If I don’t, then I get back to work the next day.”

Despite remaining level-headed about his chance to climb into male tennis’ upper echelons, Draper admitted it would be the realisation of a childhood dream.

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Draper beat higher-ranked opposition to reach the semi-finals of Indian Wells, with Shelton number 12 in the ATP rankings[/caption]

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The Brit has won two career titles, but neither have come in Masters 1000 events[/caption]

He continued: “Obviously it’s really exciting, all those things.

“I was thinking about those things when I was a kid, wanting to be in the Top 10 in the world and wanting to play in later rounds of huge competitions like this one.

“So I don’t really set goals because I feel like I’m living my dream by playing on these stages.”

“I’m always proud of myself, always looking at what I’m doing and thinking that I’m doing a good job and stuff like that.”

“Obviously in tennis you’re in a sport where there is always the next match, and you have to prove yourself every time. Certainly, for myself, my mindset [is] I feel like I’m never content with anything.”

Draper heads into his clash with Alcaraz full of confidence, having not dropped a set all tournament in Indian Wells.

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Before his victory over Shelton, the British number one also beat the higher-ranked Taylor Fritz in straight sets, who currently sits fourth in the ATP rankings.

But he will have to be at his very best to overcome Alcaraz, who is the two-time defending champion at Indian Wells.

The four-time major winner leads Draper in their head-to-head record, having won three of the pair’s four previous encounters, with the Brit’s sole win coming on home soil at Queen’s last year.