March 25, 2025, MIAMI GARDENS, Florida: Britain’s Jack Draper, fresh off his Indian Wells victory, faced a tough defeat in his opening match at the Miami Open, falling to Czech 54th-ranked Jakub Mensik.
Draper had recently reached the top 10 in world rankings after his win over Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final, where he also defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals. However, the 19-year-old Mensik played brilliantly, securing two tie-break wins for a 7-6 (7/2) 7-6 (7/3) victory.
“It was tough, obviously I came up against someone who played incredibly well,” Draper commented. “His serve was on point, and I couldn’t read it at all. I could have done better, especially adjusting to the faster courts after Indian Wells,” he added.
Rune also struggled, losing 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) to American Reilly Opelka.
Top seed Alexander Zverev advanced to the third round with a 6-2 6-4 win over Britain’s Jacob Fearnley. Zverev’s chances brightened on Friday when second-seed Carlos Alcaraz was shockingly defeated by Belgian veteran David Goffin.
With Italy’s Jannik Sinner serving a doping ban, Zverev, on paper, should face Novak Djokovic as his main challenger. Zverev had a disappointing start at Indian Wells but looked sharp in his Miami debut.
“I’m happy with my level today,” said Zverev, a 2018 Miami finalist. “It was different in Indian Wells, but I hope I can continue like this and have a great week here.” He took just 74 minutes to beat Fearnley, noting that his surprise loss to Tallon Griekspoor at Indian Wells gave him valuable practice time.
There was an upset for 13th-seeded American Ben Shelton, who lost to 20-year-old wildcard Coleman Wong from Hong Kong. Wong, ranked 128th, triumphed 7-6 (7/3) 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), despite losing a 5-2 lead in the final set. His win earned him a spot in the third round of a Masters 1000 for the first time.
“I trust myself in big stages... I had a tough time during COVID and didn’t play for a year and a half, but I’m lucky my team keeps supporting me,” Wong said. “I’m really happy, and this win is for Hong Kong.”
Brazil’s 18-year-old Joao Fonseca thrilled his supporters with a 6-4, 6-3 win over 19th-seed Ugo Humbert, reaching the third round of a Masters 1000 for the first time.
In the women’s draw, top seed Aryna Sabalenka reached the fourth round after her Romanian opponent Elena-Gabriela Ruse retired due to a right thigh injury after Sabalenka won the first set 6-1.
Third seed Coco Gauff advanced with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over a struggling Maria Sakkari, who has fallen from the top 10 to 51st in the rankings.
Naomi Osaka faced resistance from American wildcard Hailey Baptiste before winning 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 6-4. “Today was emotional for me,” Osaka said. “I’m a little embarrassed for how much I threw my racquet, which is something I don’t like to be known for.”
Ons Jabeur of Tunisia retired due to a left leg injury, allowing sixth-seed Jasmine Paolini to advance after leading 4-3 with a break in the first set.