Carlos Alcaraz sends message to Jack Draper ahead of Italian Open clash

'I’ve been watching his matches.'

May 13, 2025 - 21:08

Carlos Alcaraz admits he has been watching Jack Draper’s matches ahead of their quarter-final clash at the Italian Open on Wednesday.

It looks set to be a mouth-watering showdown between the Spanish third-seed and British fifth-seed in the latest chapter of their growing rivalry.

The pair have played each other five times on the ATP Tour to date, with Alcaraz winning three of their meetings and Draper beating his foe twice.

Draper emerged victorious when they last locked horns in the semi-finals of Indian Wells in March before the British No.1 went on to land the trophy.

Ahead of their battle in Rome, Alcaraz said: ‘Jack is playing great. The way he’s playing is really high. I’ve been watching his matches.

‘His results lately are huge. I have to be ready for that. I think it’ll be a great battle. My record in quarter-finals is pretty good.

‘But every match is different. I have to show my best tennis if I want to beat him. Let’s see. Last time I played him I lost.

‘I have to take the good things about that match and the bad things and I have to learn about that. Let’s see tomorrow.’

Alcaraz, the current French Open and Wimbledon champion, defeated Karen Khachanov 6-3 3-67-5 on Tuesday to book his spot in the last eight.

Draper, meanwhile, conjured up a 1-6 6-4 6-3 win over Corentin Moutet in a match which saw the Briton accused of a controversial double bounce.