Jack Draper blown away in straight sets by US star Reilly Opelka at Miami Open Jack Draper faced a challenging opening match at the Miami Open, falling to American player Reilly Opelka in straight sets. Opelka dominated the encounter with a powerful serving display, recording 25 aces to secure a 7-6(3), 7-6(0) victory. The defeat marks a tough start for Draper, the 25th seed, as he continues his return to competitive tennis after a seven-month absence due to a bone bruise injury. Miami represents his third ATP tournament since his comeback. Opelka, standing at 6 feet 11 inches, proudly identifies as a “servebot,” emphasizing his reliance on aces to control matches. His performance against Draper showcased his ability to neutralize opponents’ chances, as the British player failed to face a single break point. Draper acknowledged the difficulty of facing Opelka’s serve, stating, “I didn’t have many chances, especially on his serve. I didn’t get broken in the match, so that was kind of my job, right?” He also reflected on his recovery process, noting that the early stages of his comeback have been demanding. Katie Boulter advanced to the third round after her opponent, Clara Tauson, retired due to injury. Boulter, the 17th seed, led 6-7(4), 6-4, 1-0 when Tauson withdrew. The 2023 Wimbledon finalist, who had slipped out of the top 100 after a difficult season, has shown strong form in recent months. Her title run at the WTA 250 in Ostrava last month has propelled her to a current ranking of No. 63. She will next face Karolina Muchova, the 13th seed, who defeated Camila Osorio in three sets. Boulter expressed her satisfaction with her progress, stating, “During December and January we worked so, so hard but you never really expect it to kind of just click straight away.#reilly_opelka #miami_open #clara_tauson #jack_draper #katie_boulter
WTA Miami Day 1 Predictions Including Kessler vs Frech Following Aryna Sabalenka’s dominant victory in the Indian Wells final against Elena Rybakina, the WTA Tour shifts focus to the Miami Open, a 1000-tournament that promises thrilling action. While top-seeded players will enter the competition on Day 3, the first two days will feature intense matches between unseeded athletes vying for early momentum. The Day 1 schedule includes several intriguing matchups, with the most anticipated being the clash between McCartney Kessler and Magdalena Frech. This is their first career meeting, and both players have demonstrated comparable levels of play in 2026. Their encounter is expected to be a tightly contested three-setter, with small details in critical points likely deciding the outcome. Predictions lean toward Kessler securing a narrow victory. Another highlight is the match between Katie Boulter and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Their previous encounter at the 2024 US Open ended in a close two-setter won by Maneiro. Boulter, however, has shown improved form this year, and the prediction suggests she could exact revenge in a similarly tight contest. The result is expected to hinge on consistency and composure under pressure. Zeynep Sonmez faces a challenging test against Beatriz Haddad Maia, who has struggled in 2026 after a five-match losing streak. Sonmez, on the other hand, has maintained a strong performance, giving her an edge despite Haddad Maia’s higher profile. The prediction favors Sonmez in a three-set battle, as her current form appears more reliable. Simona Waltert and Ajla Tomljanovic are set to meet again, with Waltert holding a 1-0 head-to-head advantage from their 2025 Singapore encounter.#katie_boulter #magdalena_frech #wta_miami #mcartney_kessler #jessica_bouzas_maneiro
Merida Open Akron Quarterfinals Set for February 27, 2026 Four matches will take place in the Merida Open Akron quarterfinals on February 27, 2026, with a notable clash between No. 7-ranked Jasmine Paolini and No. 69 Katie Boulter. Paolini, who has yet to secure a tournament victory this year, enters the match with a 2-3 overall record across three events. Boulter, meanwhile, has a stronger track record, posting an 8-2 record in four tournaments and claiming one title. The tournament schedule features four matches, with detailed betting insights provided to help fans and participants gauge potential outcomes. Odds for the matches are sourced from BetMGM Sportsbook, with the latest updates posted on Friday at 11:56 PM ET. For additional sports betting information, users are directed to the USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. The matches at the Merida Open Akron are highlighted by the competitive matchups, including Paolini’s challenge against Boulter. The event continues to draw attention as players vie for progression in the tournament. The article includes disclaimers regarding the risks associated with gambling, emphasizing that all betting decisions should be made responsibly. It also notes that the information provided is for educational purposes and does not guarantee financial outcomes. Users are advised to verify statistics and comply with local laws regarding sports betting. Gannett’s partnership with sports betting operators is disclosed, with the company noting that revenue from referrals does not influence news coverage. The article concludes with resources for individuals seeking help with gambling-related issues, underscoring the importance of responsible betting practices.#betmgm_sportsbook #merida_open_akron #jasmine_paolini #katie_boulter #usa_today_sports_betting_odds_hub
Paolini ends Boulter's winning run at Merida Open Katie Boulter’s seven-match winning streak came to an end at the Merida Open as she fell to top-seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini in the last eight. The British player, who had entered the tournament on the back of a strong run including a title at the Ostrava Open, was unable to sustain her form against the world number seven. Boulter won the first set decisively, completing it in 28 minutes without dropping a single game. However, her momentum waned in the second and third sets, allowing Paolini to take control and secure a 0-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory. The match began with Boulter dominating the first set, capitalizing on Paolini’s early errors. The British player’s aggressive baseline play and consistent winners left the Italian struggling to find rhythm. However, Paolini adjusted her approach in the second set, starting with a strong hold of serve and breaking Boulter’s service to take a 3-1 lead. Boulter fought back, breaking Paolini’s serve to level the set at 3-3, but both players failed to hold serve in the following games, leading to a tense third set. Paolini’s composure proved crucial as she broke Boulter’s serve early in the decider and extended her lead to 2-0. Despite Boulter’s efforts to rally, including a break and a hold to make it 3-2, Paolini’s confidence grew. She won four consecutive games to close out the match and advance to the semi-finals. In her post-match comments, Paolini acknowledged the challenge posed by Boulter’s first-set performance. “Katie was smashing every ball and hitting a winner everywhere in the first set,” she said. “I had to raise my level to win the match. I told myself to play deeper in the court and hit the ball harder. Staying calm was key—when you’re nervous, you can’t find the solutions.#jasmine_paolini #katie_boulter #merida_open #osttrava_open #french_open_2024
