Jack Draper begins his Indian Wells title defense with a win

Britain’s number one Jack Draper fought back from a set down – feeling “a bit unprepared” after eight months out due to injury – to get his Indian Wells title defense off to a winning start.

An early break in the deciding set gave the 24-year-old a decisive advantage, and he pressed hard to beat Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 and qualify for the third round.

Having only returned to the ATP Tour last week following a layoff due to bone bruising in his left arm, Draper – who was stopped in the first round – was wayward early before striking back at the start of the second set.

The world number 14 took advantage of this momentum in the third to take a 5-2 lead.

Bautista Agut seemed determined to reduce his serve in the match, but Draper was not deprived of this and succeeded in saving three chances to break his serve and achieve the victory.

“It’s good to return to a place where I have great memories,” he told Sky Sports.

But he added: “At the same time I was a bit unprepared because of the amount of tennis I missed.

“I was up against a tough opponent today. The first set was a little tense, but after that I was able to find a little spark.”