Draper solves Brooksby puzzle to reach fourth round

Jack Draper reached the fourth round at Indian Wells in 2023

Jack Draper overcame a slow start to beat Jenson Brooksby and reach the Indian Wells fourth round.

Britains Draper was 4-1 down in the first set but found his rhythm to beat the tricky American 7-5 6-4 in 26C conditions in California.

Brooksby is now ranked 937 in the world as he makes his way back from a 13-month ban for missing three doping tests, and a lengthy shoulder injury.

The two embraced at the net after the match, with Draper writing "good to have a great player back" on the camera lens.

Draper, seeded 13th, will face either former champion Taylor Fritz or Chiles Alejandro Tabilo next.

Drapers only two losses this year have come against Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open fourth round - where he had to retire with injury - and the Qatar Open final against Andrey Rublev.

He adapted well against Brooksby - an unorthodox player with a variety of shots to trouble most opponents.

Draper was broken in his first service game of the match, with Brooksby targeting his backhand, but he adapted well to the Americans tempo.

After missing a break-back point at 4-2 on Brooksbys serve, Draper tossed his racquet away in frustration - but that seemed to refocus him and he took his next break opportunity to force the set back on serve.

A smash at the net allowed Draper to break and serve for the first set, which he wrapped up with an ace.

He kept the pressure on in the second, breaking early before serving out victory in one hour and 42 minutes.

Spains Alcaraz continues his title defence later on Monday, with Alex de Minaur and Ben Shelton also in action.