Miami Open: Jack Draper knocks out in second round, Katie Boulter advances
British number two Jack Draper was knocked out of the Miami Open in the second round after losing 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-0) to Reilly Opelka.
The 24-year-old lost two tiebreaks to the American team, which sealed victory in 93 minutes.
Draper entered the tournament with an impressive performance after reaching the quarterfinals in Indian Wells and defeating Novak Djokovic after missing nearly eight months with an arm injury.
However, he struggled against the powerful Opelka, who is 6-foot-11 and ranked 67th in the world, with 25 aces and 47 winners.
The loss leaves Draper at risk of falling further down the rankings heading into the clay court season, having relinquished his British No. 1 spot to Cameron Norrie this week.
Elsewhere, Katie Boulter advanced to the third round at Miami Gardens, where Denmark’s Clara Towson withdrew due to injury.
The British number three lost the match after leading 5-3, and Towson won the first set tie-break 7-4 before taking the second set 6-4.
Bolt won the first game of the third set, but Towson decided she couldn’t continue.
“It was a thorough battle – some ugly tennis and ugly conditions, but you have to find a way,” Bolt said.
“Unfortunately she couldn’t finish, but that’s how it goes. It’s never the way you want to win, but it’s nice to get to the next round.”
