Jack Draper’s momentum from his Indian Wells triumph came to a halt in the second round of the Miami Open as he fell to 19-year-old Jakub Mensik in a tightly contested 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3) defeat. The British player, fresh off his biggest career victory, found it difficult to replicate his previous form against the Czech teenager, who dominated with his serve and composure under pressure.
Draper had started the match strongly, carrying over his confidence from Indian Wells as he struck powerful forehands and served efficiently. However, Mensik quickly found his rhythm, using his own formidable serve and aggressive groundstrokes to match Draper shot for shot. The sixth seed struggled to maintain his intensity, showing visible frustration as he attempted to find consistency in his game. When the first-set tie-break arrived, Mensik remained composed, serving immaculately to take the lead.
The second set followed a similar trajectory, with Draper working hard to stay in the match while Mensik remained solid on his own serve. The British No 1 saved six break points throughout the set, yet he was never able to gain control. As the match moved to another tie-break, Mensik’s dominance on serve continued, and he closed out the victory in convincing fashion.
Despite the loss, Draper’s Indian Wells success remains a significant milestone in his career, and this defeat serves as a reminder of the challenges of maintaining top-level performance consistently. The shift to Miami’s humid conditions and heavier balls posed an additional obstacle, highlighting the difficulties of adapting quickly between tournaments. While frustrating, this experience offers a valuable lesson as he continues his pursuit of consistency at the highest level.
Meanwhile, Jacob Fearnley also exited the Miami Open in the second round, losing to top seed Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-4. Fearnley had enjoyed a strong run in the tournament, coming through qualifying and securing a notable victory over world No 63 Benjamin Bonzi in the opening round. Despite his loss to Zverev, Fearnley’s performance in Miami ensures a rise to a career-high ranking inside the top 75, making him the new British No 2 ahead of Cameron Norrie.
Both Draper and Fearnley will look to build on their recent progress as they continue their seasons, gaining experience against top-level opposition while striving for greater consistency on the ATP Tour.
