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Carlos Alcaraz's classy post-match act for injured rival at Indian Wells

The Spaniard showed his class after a brilliant performance at Indian Wells.

Carlos Alcaraz greeting Jack Draper and Alcaraz signing the camera.
Carlos Alcaraz (pictured right) showed his class to his injured opponent Jack Draper after he has advanced to the quarter-final at Indian Wells. (Getty Images/@TennisTV)

Carlos Alcaraz has advanced to the quarter-final at Indian Wells on his quest to reclaim the World No.1 ranking and the young Spaniard showed class after his opponent retired injured. Alcaraz has been in imperious form since missing the Australian Open and the Spaniard looked formidable in his clash against British talent Jack Draper as he won 6-2, 2-0.

The 19-year-old admitted before the tournament he was seeking the No.1 ranking back - with Novak Djokovic missing Indian Wells for the second straight year - and he started off like a man on a mission.

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Alcaraz blitzed through the first set when Draper showed signs of abdominal pain. Alcaraz looked to repeat the performance in the second when Draper couldn't continue.

The World No.2 was showing no signs of slowing down as he was winning 80 per cent or more of points on his first and second serve in a brilliant display. However, the Spaniard showed his class at the net when Draper retired as he shared some words with the rising British star.

Following the match, Alcaraz wrote a special message towards his opponent on the camera, for the players' sign-off. "Get well soon Jack," Alcaraz wrote. Following the match, the 19-year-old wished Draper a speedy recovery.

The tennis world was quick to praise the youngster for continuing to show class beyond his years.

Alcaraz was described as going into 'Playstation' mode during his round of 16 clash against Draper, due to how well he was hitting the ball. And the Spaniard agreed he felt good out on the court.

"I felt the ball really well. I'm really happy with that part," Alcaraz said in his post-match interview. "I would say I returned well, I hit great shots. I finished the match with confidence in my shots, to come into the next round with more confidence."

Next up for Alcaraz is either Felix Auger-Alissiame or Tommy Paul, both in-form players on the ATP Tour. Alcaraz knows he has to win Indian Wells to reclaim the World No.1 spot and the Spaniard admitted his goal was to do just that in 2023.

Daniil Medvedev continues hardcourt form

But before he does, Alcaraz will have to go through some in-form players on the ATP Tour.

Daniil Medvedev saved a match point to beat Alexander Zverev 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-5 in one of the other quarter-final thrillers. Medvedev continued his brilliant form on hard courts and was able to fight off the German who appears to be returning to top form.

However, the Russian also continued his disdain towards the slow the court and described it as a 'disgrace'. During a change of ends in the first set, Medvedev said: "It is a freaking disgrace to consider this awful court a hard court."

Carlos Alcaraz waves to the crowd at Indian Wells.
Carlos Alcaraz (pictured) has reached the quarter-final of Indian Wells. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

The win marks Medvedev's 17th in a row and the first time in his career that he's made the quarters at Indian Wells. The World No.6 is coming off three-straight titles at Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai. He will play Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the quarter-final.

Young Italian Jannik Sinner also defeated veteran Stan Wawrinka in the other round of 16 clash to set up a blockbuster encounter with American Taylor Fritz. Cameron Norrie will face Frances Tiafoe in the other quarter-final.

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