If you bet money (and we are not telling you to do that, only if you had) that the 2025 BNP Paribas Open would feature Holger Rune and Jack Draper, then congratulations. You likely just won a lot of money. (If you did make that bet, let us know who you think will win because we could use the tip.)
There is some positivity to the Masters 1000 event having the two ATP finalists. Both are young players (Rune is 21, and Draper is 23) with, hopefully, bright futures ahead of them. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are great, but having another young player or two join them to make up a talented trio or fearsome foursome for the next decade is only good for the sport.
Speaking of Alcaraz, he and Draper played a weird semifinal match. The Brit took the first set 6-1, while the Spaniard won the second set 6-0. At least the third set was close, but Draper was buoyed by a controversial call and decision. With the third set tied at 1-all, Draper got to a ball that appeared at first glance to bounce twice. Video review showed he did get the ball back after the first bounce.
Predicting who will win between Holger Rune and Jack Draper in the 2025 BNP Paribas Open final
The initial decision by the chair umpire was to replay the point, but Draper asked for a second video review to show that Alcaraz was not able to get the ball Draper had hit back. The point was eventually awarded to Draper, who went on to break Alcaraz. That was all he needed, as long as he held serve throughout the rest of the set.
Holger Rune had an easier time against Daniil Medvedev as the Dane took the match 7-5 6-4. Sure, a few points going Medvedev's way could have changed the outcome, but Rune should now be better-rested heading into the Indian Wells final against Draper.
That might be all that the, at times, outspoken Rune needs as well. The Brit appeared to struggle in the heat during his second set against Alcaraz, and that might have an effect on him in the final. Draper has the more bombastic groundstrokes, but Rune can move around the court with ease. If he plays elite-level defensive tennis, he can make Draper work harder and not steal easy points.
The guess here is that Rune wins in three sets with Draper tiring in the third. The victory would be Rune's first title on an outdoor hardcourt surface and his first at all since 2023.
Indian Wells ATP final details:
- Time of match: The women's final is set to start at 2 pm ET (11 am PT) with the men's to follow; currently the time is 5 pm ET (2 pm PT) but that could change based on previous matches for the day
- How to watch: The Tennis Channel will carry the action in the United States; click here for all listings.
- Location: The tournament is held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. All the courts have hard surfaces.