Brit Jack Draper produces fine comeback at Indian Wells

British No.1 Jack Draper came from behind to beat Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to start his title defence in Indian Wells.

The 24-year-old will now take on Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo in the next round on Monday.

Draper is continuing his comeback from eight months out with an arm injury and played his first ATP Tour event since Queen's last June in Dubai last week, losing in the second round.

Draper, who still wears a protective sleeve on his left arm, looked out of sorts during the opening set on Saturday, some wayward returns proving costly.

But he rallied at the start of the second, opting for power as a string of well-struck returns was capped by a backhand winner down the line to break Bautista Agut for a 2-0 lead.

Another confident hold from the world No. 14 put him back on track and he moved 5-2 in front with another love service game and confidently closed out the second set.

Draper mixed things up in the decider, forcing breaks in the third and seventh game to take control at 5-2.

Although Bautista Agut dug in to have three break-point chances in the next game, Draper saved them all with some booming serves before closing out a hard-earned win in one hour and 46 minutes.

"It felt amazing. I have really felt good here," Draper said in his on-court interview.

"It is good to be back somewhere I have great memories, but at the same time I was a little bit under-prepared because of the amount of tennis I have missed.

"I was coming out today against a really formidable opponent in Roberto Bautista. The first set was a bit edgy, but then I have managed to find a little bit of spark.

"Hopefully I can keep on progressing from here with how I want to play."