Jack Draper, the winner of Indian Wells, returned to Earth with a bump on Saturday, beaten by the 54th Jakub Mensik ranked during his opening match at the Miami Open.
Draper moved into the top 10 in the world ranking for the first time in his career with his triumph over Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final last Sunday, after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the last four.
But the 19-year-old mensik increased on occasion, winning two broken breakage to take advantage of a 7-6 (7/2) victory 7-6 (7/3).
“It was difficult, obviously, I encountered someone today who played incredibly well,” said Draper.
“He served 10 out of 10, I couldn’t read at all or a look at his service. There were things that I could do better and obviously a big change of surface compared to last week,” he said, noting that he had struggled to adapt to the faster shorts.
Rune was also caught up, falling 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) to American Reilly Opelka.
The head of the head Alexander Zverev placed the third round with a 6-2 6-4 victory against Jacob Fearnley in Great Britain.
Friday, the hopes of the title of Zverev received a boost when Carlos Alcaraz, second seeded, crashed with a defeat in the shock against the Belgian veteran David Goffin.
Without Jannik Sinner, while the Italian serves a doping ban, the main German challenger from Zverev, on paper, should be Novak Djokovic.
Zverev lost his opening match to Indian Wells but looked clear on his beginnings in the Stade court in southern Florida.
“I am generally satisfied with my level today,” said Zverev, finalist of Miami 2018. “In the Indian Wells, it was very different, so I hope to be able to continue playing this way and spend an excellent week here.”
The 27 -year -old took 74 minutes to take care of the business against Fearnley and said that his additional leave following his surprise defeat against Tallon Griekspoor had been precious.
“I had two weeks to train and work on my game again and I did it-I hope it is the first of many games for me here,” he added.
There was an upheaval for the 13th American row Ben Shelton, who was knocked out by the 20 -year -old Joker, Coleman Wong, of Hong Kong.
Wong, 128th in the world, fought against a 7-6 victory (7/3) 2-6, 7-6 (7/5) despite an advance from 5-2 to 5-2 in the final set.
– For Hong Kong –
His victory offered him a place in the third round of a Masters 1000 for the first time in his career.
“I always trust myself to play in these major steps … I had a hard time (during) the coated times. I did not play for a year and a half and I am really lucky that my team will support me. I am really happy and it is for you Hong Kong,” said Wong.
Joao Fonseca Brazilian, 18, delighted his large and strong group of supporters with another energetic display when he eliminated the 19th head of Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-3 and reaching the third round to a Masters 1000 for the first time.
In the female draw, the seeded Aryna Sabalenka entered the fourth round after the Romanian opponent Elena-Gabriela Ruse had to retire after the Belarusan won the first set 6-1.
Ruse received medical treatment on its right thigh but could not continue.
The third seeded Coco Gauff progressed with a 6-2, 6-4 victory against a Maria Sakkari in difficulty, who dropped in the top 10 ranking to her current 51st.
Naomi Osaka encountered a determined resistance of the American Joker Hailey Baptiste before emerging with a 7-6 victory (8/6), 3-6, 6-4.
“Today was an emotional day for me,” said Osaka. “I’m a little embarrassed for how much I launched my racket, which I don’t like to be known.”
Ons Jabeur de Tunisie also retired allowing the sixth seeded Paolini to go through – the Italian was 4-3 and a break in the first when Jabeur could no longer continue due to a left leg injury.
SEV / BB
