Jack Draper battled to earn a statement victory over Novak Djokovic in a classic match at the Indian Wells Open.

Defending champion Draper had to dig deep to prevail 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7-5) in a gripping clash that lasted two hours and 35 minutes.

Playing only his second ATP Tour event of the season after a long absence due to an arm injury, Draper was taken to his physical limit.

But he also pushed Djokovic, who was forced into a deciding set for a third straight match, to near exhaustion.

The contest was full of gruelling points, typified by a stunning exchange at 30-30 in the first game of the deciding set, when a breathtaking 26-shot rally was won by Djokovic and earned both players a standing ovation from the crowd.

Draper ultimately emerged triumphant, recovering well to win a close tie-break shortly after failing to serve out the match with a 5-4 lead.

He will face in-form Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals but was first eager to savour a memorable victory over Djokovic.

The Serbian had looked magnificent, particularly on serve, in winning the opening set, and he kept fighting until the last moment, making Draper earn his comeback triumph.

"To beat Novak is something that is mind-blowing," Draper told BBC Sport after his win. "I've watched him since I was a kid, idolising him. Unbelievable respect for the player that he is.

"I still want to play better, and feel better on the court, but I think for how long I have had off the court to come here and play three tough matches already and play that one, it's huge for me.

"It's something I will probably look back on in a few months and think this is a real big moment for me. To come through that match is something I will never forget."

During his on-court interview, Draper added: "I won that match through determination and trying to problem solve and do my best and have a great attitude.

"It was a real physical battle, there were definitely a lot of ups and downs in the match.

"I’m proud of the way I regrouped [after being broken at 5-4]. I haven't been playing on the Tour in a long time, so to put away guys who are top players, it’s something that comes with confidence. 

"It was a tough moment for me, but again, something I’m getting used to since coming back. I regrouped really well. That is something I can be really proud of.

"To be on court again these last few weeks has been emotional for me and I'm really grateful for it."

Data Debrief: Djokovic's wait goes on

Djokovic is a five-time champion at Indian Wells, but this epic defeat means he has now gone a decade without reaching the quarter-finals at this tournament.

This was his first round-of-16 appearance at Indian Wells since 2017, ending a barren run at the event, but he has now still not reached the last eight since winning the last of his titles here in 2016.

In a sign of how close the match was, from 197 total points, Djokovic actually won 99 to Draper's 98.

But there were some great signs for Draper, who produced 13 aces and racked up 39 winners.

This was the Briton's ninth career win against a top-10 player, but his first since seeing off Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals en route to his success at Indian Wells last year.