British number one Jack Draper survived a brief capitulation to reach the third round of the Indian Wells Masters with a statement 6-4 6-0 win over Brazilian teenage star Joao Fonseca.
Playing his first match since losing the final of the Qatar Open to Andrey Rublev last month, Draper largely put in a mesmerising display, barring the first few points in the final game of the match.
Serving for a second-set bagel and a place in the third round, the world number 14 remarkably double-faulted three times in a row, gifting Fonseca two chances to keep the match alive at 15-40.
However, Draper quickly rediscovered his serving prowess and saved both break points before going wide on his first match point, although the US Open semi-finalist made no mistake on his second opportunity.
Draper benefitted from a total of 31 unforced errors from Fonseca, but the 23-year-old displayed tremendous athleticism and reactions at the net throughout the second-round battle as he chases a first-ever ATP 1000 title.
The 13th seed will now take on the American Jenson Brooksby for a place in the fourth round, where he progressed to in 2023 for his best result at the BNP Paribas Open to date.
Draper joins fellow Brits Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter in the third round after his compatriots completed terrific fightback wins during their matches on Friday.
Ben Knapton
