Asked about the experience of playing Shelton, who is one of the most dynamic performers in the game, Draper replied “He’s an incredible showman, can hit a winner from anywhere. I knew on this court in front of the American support it was going to be difficult.”

Difficult is perhaps an understatement, and yet once again Draper controlled the tempo of the match. Just like at last year’s US Open, he has reached the semi-finals without dropping a set.

Asked about his increasingly selective approach to scheduling, which involved sitting out the last big ATP event in Dubai, Draper cited the hip injury which bothered him during the off-season. “After Australia I was thinking my body is not quite right,” he said. “Then in Doha I picked up some momentum, and I’ve felt good since I got here.”

Draper started this tournament two places behind Shelton in the world rankings, at No14 to his opponent’s No12, but that order will now be reversed. 

It is Shelton who is the new No14, while Draper will climb to either No11 or No12 if he loses his semi-final. Should he win, and become the first Briton to reach the Indian Wells final since Cameron Norrie four years ago, he will also break the world’s top ten for the first time.