Draper had Alcaraz worried, and Spaniard’s fears were confirmed in Indian Wells loss

Carlos Alcaraz was a significant favourite heading into his BNP Paribas Open semi-final match against Jack Draper on Saturday afternoon. But you wouldn’t have known it based on Alcaraz’s mental state heading into the much-anticipated showdown.

The prospect of facing Draper had Alcaraz on edge, by the Spaniard’s own admission.

“It was difficult today,” Alcaraz said during his post-match press conference. “(There were) a lot of nerves in the match. What could I have done better? Just to play my style and stepping on the court with less nerves. I think that was a big difference.

“I always say that I have to be focused on myself, on my own game. I think today I was more worried about his level, his game, than myself. So I think that’s was a big problem [for] me, that I was always thinking about his weakness than my best things. So when you’re thinking more about the opponent than yourself, then it is a big problem.

“So that’s what happened today. Since the beginning of the day, since the morning, I was thinking about his game — because he’s really tough, he’s really solid, and it’s going to be a really physical match. So I was thinking all these things since the beginning of the day, and I think that (was) a big problem.”

Draper: “Belief is a big thing”

As it turned out, Draper was a big problem for Alcaraz. The 23-year-old Brit survived a roller-coaster contest to prevail 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 and set up a surprising final against Holger Rune.

Afterward, Draper was asked about Alcaraz’s comments. He admitted to having his own doubts but explained that he used those to his advantage.

“Before I play Carlos, there [are] always doubts, as well. For every player I play at this level I’m always fearful I’m going to lose, and I think that gives me a big competitive edge that I feel on edge all the time, because I know how well these guys play. Especially when you’re playing top players in the world, you know, belief is a big thing. A lot of the times I’m sure players go on court and believe they can’t win against top players.

“I have played Carlos a few times now, and I have watched him on the TV the whole of this week, and I thought that he’s playing incredible tennis. But I did believe that I could at least cause him some problems today with the way I have been playing. Then (at the) start of the match I was expecting him to come out playing incredible, but obviously there was a few errors here and there, and his energy was a bit low. It was just a crazy match.

“Yeah, it’s a big compliment (that he was worried about my game). That [is a] testament obviously to the way I have been playing.”

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