Jack Draper battles through 'bamboozling' start against Corentin Moutet to set up 'great battle' with Carlos Alcaraz

React to this story

British No. 1 Jack Draper will face world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster Italian Open quarter-final on Wednesday after both came through three-set matches in the last 16. Draper will rise to No. 4 in the world rankings if he wins, having come through a "bamboozling" start to beat Corentin Moutet. Alcaraz beat Karen Khachanov to reach the last 16 in Rome for the first time.

Highlights: Draper continues fine form on clay to set up Alcaraz quarter-final in Rome

Video credit: SNTV

Jack Draper recovered from a "bamboozling" start against Corentin Moutet to win in three sets and tee up a "great battle" against Carlos Alcaraz in the Italian Open quarter-finals.

Draper fought back from losing the opening set 6-1 to get past unseeded Corentin Moutet, while Alcaraz overcame dropping the second set to beat 23rd seed Karen Khachanov.

The pair will now meet for the sixth time, with Alcaraz leading the head-to-head 3-2.

Montreal Men's Singles -

How Jodar matched Murray, Djokovic and Alcaraz record with storming Montreal run

Yesterday at 08:45

Draper won their last meeting in Indian Wells in March, but this will be the first time they have faced off on clay.

"Jack is playing great, the way he’s playing is really high," said Alcaraz about Draper.

"I've been watching his matches, the way he plays is huge, and I have to be ready for that. I think it’s going to be a great battle."

Alcaraz has now reached the quarter-finals at all nine Masters 1000 events.

He needed two hours and 29 minutes to come through 6-3 3-6 7-5 against Khachanov, who won more points (98 to 95) and made fewer unforced errors (29 to 17), but also finished well behind on the number of winners (41 to 17).

Draper was outplayed in the opening set in his first career meeting against Moutet but battled back to win 1-6 6-4 6-3.

The British No. 1 will rise to No. 4 in the world rankings if he beats Alcaraz, who should be more of a known quantity than the unconventional Moutet.

"Honestly, I was a bit bamboozled at the start, to be honest. I haven't played someone like that, well, ever, I don't think," Draper told Sky Sports about facing Moutet.

"I felt like I was on a string, like I didn't know what I was doing. And then I came out in the second set and just fought for every point and found a way in the end to pick up my level and it was a good one to come through. It feels good.

"You don't know what's happening shot to shot. You can almost get sucked into his way of playing. I was all over the court.

"At one point, I was looking at the slides that I've been doing in one game. I was literally covering the whole court with drop shots. I don't know what was going on. I've got a dizziness from it.

"Credit to Corentin. He honestly played a great match. To come through that one was amazing."

Asked about his energy levels ahead of meeting Alcaraz on Wednesday, Draper said: "I'm giving myself the best chance to be there every point. I'm in the quarter-finals now and there's no time to be tired anymore.

"I've got to keep on pushing hard [for] every point and I will do that."

- - -

Watch and stream the 2025 French Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Tennis