Jack Draper’s Miami Open clash briefly halted as fans loudly boo controversial decision
British star Jack Draper’s Miami Open clash was halted after a late scheduling change left dozens of fans irate. Sixth seed Draper was midway through the second set of his round of 64 match against Jakub Mensik in the Grandstand when chaos ensued. Sky SportsDraper’s match at the Miami Open was stopped due to fan unrest[/caption] With Brazil’s teenage sensation Joao Fonseca due to face Ugo Humbert in the Grandstand following Draper’s clash, scores of the former’s compatriots had packed out the stadium so they would have a seat for the next contest. However, those plans were thrown into disarray when it was announced there was a late venue change as Fonseca’s clash with the No. 19 seed was being moved to the Stadium Court. It prompted a shower of boos from the Brazilian supporters as they collectively made their way through the exits. Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage, a reporter said: “You absolutely can’t believe it. “The boos are very much justified because it’s just been announced that Fonseca and Humbert are moving over to stadium court. “So all these Brazilian fans that have been sat here for hours and hours are now just finding out and trying to head over. “But the queues are going to be outrageous trying to get in there at the moment.” The Telegraph’s Simon Briggs meanwhile declared the scenario as ‘an absolute shambles’ from tournament organisers. Unfortunately for Draper, he was unable to get past Mensik as the Czech prevailed 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-3). It was a valiant effort from Draper as he saved eight of Mensik’s nine break point opportunities. Sky SportsFrustrated fans flooded the exits after learning Fonseca wouldn’t follow Draper’s game[/caption] View Tweet: https://t.co/vCfv2Lxtpy Mensik, 19, awaits either Australian star Alexei Popyrin or Roman Safiullin in the round of 32. Draper’s defeat came days after he won his maiden ATP Masters title at Indian Wells. But as a result of his defeat to Mensik, he has become the first Indian Wells champion to lose his opening match at the Miami Open since Dominic Thiem in 2019. The Brit beat Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 in the Indian Wells final to cap off a superb tournament. Draper had already beaten Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz and America’s Taylor Fritz on his way to Indian Wells glory. The 23-year-old’s triumph in California also rocketed him up to a career-high ranking of seventh. The teenager’s win over Draper booked him a spot in the round of 32Getty Speaking after his win over Rune, he explained: “I said at the end of last year I wanted to be competing with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and all the players who are competing for big titles. “It’s one thing saying it but it’s another thing doing it. “To back up six matches here at the highest level against tough opponents is something I’ve been working hard to be able to achieve.”
British star Jack Draper’s Miami Open clash was halted after a late scheduling change left dozens of fans irate.
Sixth seed Draper was midway through the second set of his round of 64 match against Jakub Mensik in the Grandstand when chaos ensued.
With Brazil’s teenage sensation Joao Fonseca due to face Ugo Humbert in the Grandstand following Draper’s clash, scores of the former’s compatriots had packed out the stadium so they would have a seat for the next contest.
However, those plans were thrown into disarray when it was announced there was a late venue change as Fonseca’s clash with the No. 19 seed was being moved to the Stadium Court.
It prompted a shower of boos from the Brazilian supporters as they collectively made their way through the exits.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage, a reporter said: “You absolutely can’t believe it.
“The boos are very much justified because it’s just been announced that Fonseca and Humbert are moving over to stadium court.
“So all these Brazilian fans that have been sat here for hours and hours are now just finding out and trying to head over.
“But the queues are going to be outrageous trying to get in there at the moment.”
The Telegraph’s Simon Briggs meanwhile declared the scenario as ‘an absolute shambles’ from tournament organisers.
Unfortunately for Draper, he was unable to get past Mensik as the Czech prevailed 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-3).
It was a valiant effort from Draper as he saved eight of Mensik’s nine break point opportunities.
Mensik, 19, awaits either Australian star Alexei Popyrin or Roman Safiullin in the round of 32.
Draper’s defeat came days after he won his maiden ATP Masters title at Indian Wells.
But as a result of his defeat to Mensik, he has become the first Indian Wells champion to lose his opening match at the Miami Open since Dominic Thiem in 2019.
The Brit beat Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 in the Indian Wells final to cap off a superb tournament.
Draper had already beaten Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz and America’s Taylor Fritz on his way to Indian Wells glory.
The 23-year-old’s triumph in California also rocketed him up to a career-high ranking of seventh.
Speaking after his win over Rune, he explained: “I said at the end of last year I wanted to be competing with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and all the players who are competing for big titles.
“It’s one thing saying it but it’s another thing doing it.
“To back up six matches here at the highest level against tough opponents is something I’ve been working hard to be able to achieve.”
