Draper Out of Miami Open: Opelka Victory & Norrie Takes UK No.1 Spot | Alcaraz & Boulter Advance
Reilly Opelka’s serve proved too much for Jack Draper to handle at the Miami Open, ending the Brit’s run in the second round with a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (0) defeat on . The American fired down 25 aces and 47 winners, overwhelming Draper in a match decided by tiebreaks.
The loss is a setback for Draper, who had been building momentum after a remarkable quarter-final appearance at Indian Wells following an eight-month absence due to an arm injury. That run included a notable victory over Novak Djokovic, signaling a promising return to form. Still, Opelka’s relentless serving proved a different challenge altogether.
“Definitely some disappointment, I never like to lose, but the guy played an incredible match,” Draper said, acknowledging Opelka’s dominant performance. “It’s a demanding one. Obviously I haven’t played a load of tennis, it’s still the highly start of my comeback from my injury, so it’s going to take time.”
Opelka, standing at 6ft 11in, consistently pressured Draper with his powerful serve, leaving the Brit with limited opportunities to gain a foothold in the match. Draper didn’t face a single break point, yet still couldn’t convert enough chances on Opelka’s serve to swing the momentum. He managed only six unforced errors, a testament to his composure, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the sheer power of his opponent.
The defeat also carries ranking implications for Draper, who recently relinquished the British number one spot to Cameron Norrie. A further slide down the rankings is now possible as he heads into the clay-court season. Despite the setback, Draper remains focused on rebuilding his form and regaining momentum. “I’ve just got to keep on chipping away with my team, trying to do all the right things, practising well,” he stated. “The thing I’m looking forward to the most is earning the right to gain momentum again.”
While Draper’s tournament came to an end, there was brighter news for British tennis with Katie Boulter advancing to the third round. However, her path forward was unusual, as her opponent, Clara Tauson, was forced to retire during their deciding set due to injury. Boulter had initially struggled to capitalize on a 5-3 lead in the first set, losing the tie-break, but battled back to win the second 6-4 before Tauson’s withdrawal.
“It was a complete battle – some ugly tennis and ugly conditions as well, but you have to find a way,” Boulter said after the match. “Unfortunately she couldn’t finish but it is what it is. It’s never the way you want to win, but happy to be through to the next round.”
Elsewhere in the tournament, world number one Carlos Alcaraz continued his strong form with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over 19-year-aged Brazilian Joao Fonseca, setting up a third-round clash with Sebastian Korda. Alcaraz demonstrated his dominance, efficiently dispatching the rising star and maintaining his position at the top of the rankings.
Coco Gauff also secured a win, overcoming Elisabetta Cocciaretto 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 after recently withdrawing from Indian Wells with a nerve-related injury to her left arm. Gauff, the world number four, served 11 double faults but ultimately rallied to claim victory on her third match point. “This week made me realise how much I love this sport – even when it’s tough, I enjoy the ups and downs of the journey,” Gauff commented.
Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion and world number one, faced a tougher challenge against Ann Li, ultimately prevailing 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 after a grueling one hour and 42 minutes. Sabalenka created numerous break point opportunities, but struggled to convert them, managing to capitalize on only three of fifteen.
Opelka’s performance underscores his reputation as a formidable server, capable of overpowering opponents even at the highest levels of the game. For Draper, the Miami Open represents a valuable, if frustrating, step in his comeback journey. The experience gained against a player of Opelka’s caliber will be crucial as he prepares for the challenges of the clay-court season and aims to regain his position among the top players in the world.