Draper exits Miami Open but Boulter through

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.

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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.

“It’s a tough game,” said Draper, who never got past the second round in Miami. “Obviously I haven’t played much tennis yet and it’s still the beginning of my recovery from injury, so it’s going to take time.

“I have to continue to work hard with my team and try to do all the right things and practice well. The thing I’m most looking forward to is earning the right to be motivated again.”

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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.

However, world number one Carlos Alcaraz won his first meeting with 19-year-old Brazilian star Joao Fonseca 6-4 6-4 to advance to the third round against Sebastian Korda.

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.

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Bolt won the first game of the third set, but Towson decided she couldn’t continue.

“It was a total 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.”

Meanwhile, Florida-born Coco Gauff beat Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 3-6 6-4 6-3, a week after she withdrew from Indian Wells with a nerve-related injury to her left arm.

“This week has made me realize how much I love this game – even when it’s hard, I enjoy the ups and downs of the journey,” said the world No. 4, who double-faulted 11 times but came from a set down on her third match point to win.

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World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka faced off against unseeded player Ann Li in a test that lasted 1 hour and 42 minutes and ultimately won 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

The defending champion created 15 break points but converted just three of them against her American opponent.

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