New Delhi: Yuki Bhambri entered his maiden ATP Masters 1000 men’s doubles semi-final with his Swedish partner Goran Goransson after a pair 6-3 7-6 win
over Alexander Erler and Andrea Vavassori in Indian Wells.
The 33-year-old, who had previously reached the doubles quarter-finals at the Masters 1000 level twice, took an hour and 30 minutes to beat the Austrian-Italian pair.
In the semi-finals on Friday, they will face France’s Arthur Rinderknech and Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot, who defeated Russia’s Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-4.
Alacaraz powers through, Draper upsets Djokovic
World number one Carlos Alcaraz beat Casper Ruud 6-1 7-6(2), while Jack Draper stunned third ranked Novak Djokovic 4-6 6-4 7-6(5) to reach the quarter-finals.
“The conditions were difficult to be honest. Today the ball was tough to control but we both played great,” two-time champion Alcaraz said after his win.
“My first set was incredible I’m really happy of playing that kind of level, really happy to get through and hopefully I’ll play this level on the next round.”
It was Alcaraz’s 15th successive victory of the season fifth quarter-final appearance in a row at the tournament where he he will face 2021 champion Cameron Norrie, who beat Rinky Hijikata 6-4 6-2.
Title holder Draper won through a deciding-set tie-break after two hours and 35 minutes.
“I still don’t feel like I’m playing anywhere near the way I want to play,” Draper said.
“I came out here tonight and I won that match through determination and trying to problem-solve and do my best and have a great attitude.
“I’m proud of the way I regrouped. I haven’t been playing on the tour (in) a long time, so to put away guys who are top players, it’s something that comes with confidence.”
Draper takes on 11th seed Daniil Medvedev, who defeated Alex Michelsen 6-2 6-4 in one hour and 27 minutes.
In the women’s section, world number two Iga Swiatek won 6-2 6-0 against 13th seed Karolina Muchova.
“I felt I was playing better and better, just great,” Swiatek said.
“I love playing here … It’s a great place to play tennis, hopefully I can keep doing that until the end.”
Swiatek meets ninth seed Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals while fifth seed Jessica Pegula beat Belinda Bencic 6-3 7-6(5).
Third seed Elena Rybakina also advanced to the last eight stage after Sonay Kartal retired while trailing 6-4 4-3 to set up a date with Pegula.
