Alex de Minaur continued his string of great results at the Miami Open. He then followed that triumph, defeating Bu Yunchaokete in a quick 86 minutes, winning in straight sets 6-4 6-4. The 10th seed and world number 11 was in commanding form in this last 32 match. Now, he’s been preparing for a thrilling match with surging prospect Joao Fonseca. At the same time, Australian compatriot Jordan Thompson advanced, making it a fruitful day for players from Down Under.
De Minaur's Dominance and Fonseca's Breakthrough
De Minaur’s well-constructed win over Yunchaokete showed us that he’s up to the task, as he settles into life as a tournament favorite. Entering as the No.10 seed, he made full use of his seeding and know-how to progress deep into the tournament. He quickly overmatched his opponent and advanced to the next round. Now Joao Fonseca is counting on him. He is in the headlines after reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 third round.
Fonseca stands out as the youngest player to achieve this feat since Carlos Alcaraz did so in Paris in 2021. In particular, his match against Ugo Humbert was memorable due to his calm disposition. It was a wonderful moment for tennis, a beautiful and majestic catch, but it enchanted fans, distracting their eye from the match featuring Draper vs Mensik.
"I started the match today super relaxed, with no nerves," said Joao Fonseca, reflecting on his impressive performance.
Zverev and Thompson Move Forward
In other second-round matches, Alexander Zverev def. Jacob Fearnley 6-2, 6-4. Zverev was pleased with how he played, feeling much better than he had in earlier tournaments.
"Happy to kind of have improved a few things from Indian Wells where I didn't feel well on the court. I didn't feel like I played good," said Zverev.
He remains optimistic about his prospects in Miami, stating:
"Hopefully this is just the first of many matches for me here and I can continue playing well."
Jordan Thompson enjoyed a productive week, making the final 32. In the semifinals, he battled valiantly against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Thompson battled and took a tough 7-6, 7-6 win. His victory highlights the depth of strong performances by Australian players at the event.
Draper's Early Exit and Upcoming Matches
As other players were dazzling fans and booking places in the quarter-finals, it was good ole Jack Draper whose Miami Open run ended with a thud. He was defeated by Czech player Jakub Mensik in two hard-fought sets. Both sets culminated in tiebreakers, with final scores of 7-6. Draper’s exit was just one of several surprising outcomes on a hectic day of tennis drama.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on upcoming matches, particularly the face-off between Alex de Minaur and Joao Fonseca. Fans and analysts alike are waiting with bated breath to see what the future holds. Will the sprouts Fonseca continue to dramatic breakthrough or will de Minaur use his greater rank and experience to progress deeper in the tournament?
