Medvedev Advances at Indian Wells Amidst Controversy for Draper

Daniil Medvedev reached the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells after defeating defending champion Jack Draper in a quarter-final match marred by a controversial hindrance call. The match, held on Thursday, March 13, 2026, saw Medvedev cruise to a 6-1, 7-5 victory, extending his winning streak to eight matches following his title run in Dubai.

First Set Dominance

Medvedev dominated the opening set, winning it 6-1 in just 24 minutes. Draper appeared physically fatigued, potentially still feeling the effects of his grueling two-hour, 35-minute win against Novak Djokovic the previous day. Medvedev’s flat backhand proved particularly effective, consistently targeting Draper’s forehand corner.

Controversial Hindrance Call

The second set was more competitive, but a pivotal moment occurred at 5-5 and 0-15 when umpire Aurélie Tourte awarded a point to Medvedev after a video review. Draper had raised his arms following a disputed line call, and Tourte ruled that this action distracted Medvedev, constituting a hindrance. This call proved crucial, as Medvedev subsequently secured a break and ultimately closed out the set 7-5.

Crowd Reaction and Sportsmanship

The umpire’s decision drew audible disapproval from the California crowd, with Medvedev being booed during the change of ends and after the match. Despite the contentious circumstances, Draper displayed sportsmanship by shaking hands with both Medvedev and Tourte before leaving the court.

Medvedev’s Pursuit of a Title

This victory marks Medvedev’s fourth consecutive appearance in the Indian Wells semi-finals. He is now one step closer to claiming his first Indian Wells title. Medvedev has won 16 consecutive sets since his loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas at the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam.

Looking Ahead

Medvedev will next face Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals, continuing his quest for the championship. The controversial call and Draper’s fatigue will likely be talking points as the tournament progresses.