Sonay Kartal Downs Madison Keys, Draper Faces Novak Djokovic!
Indian Wells
March 10, 2026
Sonay Kartal has become the first British woman to reach the last sixteen twice at Indian Wells.
Now she takes on former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina for a place in the quarter-finals,
Meanwhile Jack Draper dug deep to keep his much-anticipated appointment with the world’s ever greatest player, Novak Djokovic.
Draper overcame Argentina’s Francsico Cerundolo 6-1, 7-5 despite falling behind in the second.
The South American couldn’t serve out. And Jack punished him ruthlessly when it mattered.
Draper hasn’t played Novak since he shocked Wimbledon 2021 by taking a set off the mighty Serb as a youngster.
Jack Draper against Novak Djokovic on Centre Court at Wimbledon 2026 would make for a more even fight – and a marvellous spectacle!
But back in the Californian desert, Monday belonged to Kartal too. She fought like a lioness to beat another Grand Slam champion, Madison Keys.
True, Sonay benefited from two kind net cords towards the end. But she made her own luck as she stormed back to secure a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory.
Kartal had poured on the pressure and almost broken at will against last year’s Australian Open winner.
And the girl from Brighton and Hove isn’t done yet. She said: ‘Being the underdog, you come out here and you kind of have nothing to lose.
‘She’s an incredible player and I knew there would be times where she was going to be unbeatable. I just tried to weather the storm.’
Kartal might have to hit the ground running against Rybakina. Otherwise there may be no second chance to get into the fight.
Draper knows he has to improve too. His face contorted a little when he finally saw off Cerundolo. Jack was less than completely satisfied with his level.
But even Djokovic had temporary troubles of his own. He dropped the middle set in a 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 victory over America’s Aleksandar Kovacevic.
And world number one Carlos Alcaraz was a set and a break down before raising his game to see off the big-serving Arthur Rinderknech 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-2.
Sonay Kartal, Elena Rybakina, Jack Draper and Novak Djokovic should all grace Wimbledon 2026 along with Carlos Alcaraz.
Will you be there in a precious Centre Court debenture seat to sample all the action at close quarters?
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