DRAPER TOPPLES HIS IDOL MURRAY IN WATERSHED WIN

JACK DRAPER’S emotional bear hug with Andy Murray after beating him in Indian Wells told how much overcoming a childhood idol had meant to him. The 21-year-old’s superb 7-6, 6-2 third-round victory early yesterday emphasised why he has at least as much potential as Emma Raducanu. Britain now has two new gems who can contend with the elite. Unlike Raducanu, who has no tennis in her lineage, the left-hander from Surrey was always destined to play the game. Dad Roger is a onetime chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association and mum Nicky a coach and former junior player. Draper had been on the radar longer than Raducanu before her extraordinary summer of 2021 propelled her to greater fame. He not only reached the final of the boys’ event at Wimbledon at 16, but won his first two pro titles at the Futures level. This is his first year on the ATP

Tour and, in the summer, there were wins over world No 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas in Canada and No 8 Felix Auger-Aliassime at the US Open. He was due another test last night against world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz. Draper’s serve remains a work in progress but it was telling that, against Murray, he won 68 per cent of points behind his second serve. ‘He’s going to be a top, top player for a long time, provided he stays healthy,’ said the 35year-old Scot (pictured with Draper). The younger man added: ‘I’ve looked up to Andy since I was so young. I watched him win Wimbledon in 2013 and I’ve had the opportunity to get to know him and practise with him. He’s a really special person and I’m privileged to play against him.’ Raducanu was also due in fourthround action overnight, against world No 1 Iga Swiatek.