Miami Open Shocks: Draper Falls, Raducanu Rises
Raducanu's victory and Mensik's milestone mark a significant shift in the tournament, with both players demonstrating their skills and determination. As the Miami Open progresses, fans can look forward to more intense battles and unexpected upsets.
The Miami Open has witnessed significant upsets, with Jack Draper, the British number one, losing to 19-year-old Jakub Mensik in the second round, while Emma Raducanu secured her biggest win of the year against world No.10 Emma Navarro.
Draper, who recently won the Indian Wells title and rose to a career-high seventh in the world rankings, was beaten 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-3) by Mensik. Despite making a strong start, Draper was unable to maintain his lead, with Mensik dominating the rest of the match and sending down 21 aces. The match was disrupted by crowd noise during the second set, but Mensik's performance remained unaffected.
In another notable match, Emma Raducanu overcame a tough opponent and difficult conditions to defeat Emma Navarro 7-6(6), 2-6, 7-6(3) in a three-hour match. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, came from behind to win the first set tie-break and fought back from a 3-1 deficit in the deciding set. This victory marks her first top 10 win on a hard court and her third overall.
Jakub Mensik's win against Draper has earned him a significant milestone in his career, making him the fourth active male player with a positive record against top 10 players. Mensik, who has a 6-5 record against top 10 players, credits his confidence and preparation for his latest win. He has also beaten high-profile players like Casper Ruud and Ben Shelton, and is among the highest winning percentages against top 10 players.
The Miami Open continues to showcase exciting matches, with Raducanu set to face either Linda Noskova or McCartney Kessler in the next round. Mensik's achievement is a testament to his rising talent, and fans can expect more thrilling matches from these emerging players.