Indian Wells, Calif. — Jack Draper managed to beat Holga Rune 6-2, 6-2 in over an hour in the final of the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday, winning his first Master 1000 titles and making his debut in the top 10 ATP rankings.
The 23-year-old British Draper, who ranked 13th in the California desert hard court tournament, has built a 21-7 advantage over the winner against Rune, with fewer unforced errors.
Draper’s left-handed serve was especially important. He hit 10 aces and scored 21 of 23 first-service points, and did not allow Rune to score one breakpoint.
“You never know when it’s your time,” said Draper, the US open semi-finalist in September. “I lost my first round here last year so I didn’t get to experience the tournament much. …But I think this is one of my favorite tournaments right now.”
He went from 14th to a career-high seventh place on Monday’s rankings.
“I feel,” Draper said, “so that I deserve it.”
Rune is 21 years old from Denmark and finished 12th at the Indian Wells.
Their matchup was the first ATP Masters 1000 Finals at the Indian Wells, born in the 2000s, between two and fewer than two after the age of 22, and the first ATP Masters 1000 Finals to beat 21-year-old Andy Murray in 2009.
“It’s a tough day for me, but I have to start by celebrating Jack,” Rune said. “You’ve shown some incredible tennis, and certainly you deserved to win today.”
Draper reached the final by eliminating two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in Saturday’s semi-finals.
“I wasn’t expecting this. I did a lot of work over time,” Draper said. “I’m so grateful and very happy… my body is healthy and it makes me feel great in my mind.”
Draper is battling lingering hip issues, but Sunday looked good as he easily concluded the courtroom to improve this year to 13-2.
He is the first British to win the title with the Indian Wells since Cameron Norley in 2021.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to the report.