Jack Draper brought his scintillating form to the big stage at the Miami Open presented by Itau on Wednesday, surging past Gilles Simon to secure a first ATP Masters 1000 win at Hard Rock Stadium.

The 20-year-old Brit, who has already won three titles on the ATP Challenger Tour in 2022, put his strong serve and powerful groundstrokes to good effect to wear down his resilient opponent and secure a 7-5, 6-1 victory.

The hot and humid conditions in Miami will make the win all the more pleasing for Draper, who was forced to retire against Mikhail Kukushkin on his debut at the tournament a year ago.

“[It feels] really good,” said Draper after the match. “I played an okay match today. It was tough conditions. It wasn’t the easiest, especially after what happened last year. It was in the back of my mind a little bit.

“I’m glad to come through the match. I think it shows the work I’ve put in the last six months, so I’m happy with the performance today.”

After an early exchange of breaks, a poor service game from Simon at 5-5 presented Draper with the opportunity to clinch the opening set, the 20-year-old showing no signs of nerves as he served it out to love.

The second set was a more one-sided affair. Draper breaking three times to complete the win in one hour, 48 minutes. Whenever he was under pressure in the match, the Brit’s big serve guided him away from trouble. He saved six out of seven break points he faced and won 70 per cent (28/40) of points behind his first serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

The defeat leaves Simon still two victories short of 500 career-wins, while Draper’s bid to reach November’s Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals continues to gather momentum.

A first win at Masters 1000 level for @jackdraper0!

The 20-year-old defeats Simon 7-5 6-1 to set up an all-British R2 with Cam Norrie 🇬🇧#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/kY8pRI9iUu

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 23, 2022

Next up for Draper is a familiar face, fellow Brit Cameron Norrie. It will be the pair’s second tour-level meeting, after Norrie ended Draper’s promising run at the 2021 Cinch Championships in London at the quarter-final stage.

“I’ve played a lot with Cam in the UK,” said Draper. “He’s one of the guys who has been great with me as a young Brit. I think he’s always supporting, always sending me messages.

“[It’s] nice I get to share the court with him on Friday. When I played him at Queen’s last year, I’m a lot better player than that I think. Hopefully I can give him a run for his money on Friday.”

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Brandon Nakashima also enjoyed a first Miami main-draw win on Wednesday, overcoming World No. 63 Soonwoo Kwon, 6-1, 7-5, to set an all-American second-round clash with 28th seed Frances Tiafoe.

#NextGenATP star Nakashima took advantage of an error-strewn start from Kwon to surge ahead and then broke at the tail end of the second set to clinch victory in the pair’s first ATP Head2Head meeting.

Francisco Cerundolo was making his Masters 1000 main-draw debut and facing Tallon Griekspoor for the first time, but the Argentine handled both the conditions and his opponent well as he claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory. Defeat leaves World No. 57 Griekspoor, also playing for the first time at Hard Rock Stadium, still hunting a first win at Masters 1000 level. Cerundolo’s next assignment is a second-round meeting with 16th seed Reilly Opelka.

Earlier in the day World No. 68 Hugo Gaston notched his second tour-level win of the season in rapid time, beating 20-year-old American wild card Emilio Nava 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour to move through to a second-round clash with 2018 champion John Isner.

Ashleigh Barty is going out on top.

The WTA Tour World No. 1’s final point of her career was a particularly special one – a forehand pass past Danielle Collins to become the first Australian woman since 1978 to win the women’s singles title at January’s Australian Open.

On Wednesday, Barty announced her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 25. “Today is difficult and filled with emotion for me as I announce my retirement from tennis,” she wrote via Instagram. “I am so thankful for everything this sport has given me and leave feeling proud and fulfilled. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, I’ll always be grateful for the lifelong memories that we created together.”

Barty had stepped away from the game before, taking a two-year break between 2015 and 2017, but returned to take the WTA Tour by storm. She picked up a first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in 2019 and clinched the Wimbledon title in 2021 before her Melbourne triumph in January.

At the time of her announcement Barty has been at No. 1 in the WTA Rankings for 114 consecutive weeks, and she can also count a 2018 US Open doubles title, won with American Coco Vandeweghe, amongst her achievements.

As news of Barty’s retirement reverberated around the tennis world several ATP stars, as well as many of her contemporaries on the WTA Tour, paid tribute to her glittering career.

Happy for @ashbarty gutted for tennis 🎾 what a player❤️

— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) March 23, 2022

Respect it @ashbarty 🙏🏼👏🏼

— Thanasi Kokkinakis (@TKokkinakis) March 23, 2022

An incredible role model for so many not only in our sport, and she’s always gone about her career in her own special way. Well done, Ash. A true Aussie legend 👏 https://t.co/pnmaUjTPBe

— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) March 23, 2022

What a tremendous champion. On and off the court. The only woman I’ve handed the trophy to at the Hard Rock and it was an absolute pleasure both times. The sport will miss your kind heart and sublime talent. All the best for the next chapter. https://t.co/ALgTVSRqPy

— James Blake (@JRBlake) March 23, 2022

I’ve loved watching you play 🤩 @ashbarty . Enjoy your time off the court 🥳

— EdouardRogerVasselin (@ERogerVasselin) March 23, 2022

Wow Ash Barty so young at 25 retires on top 🔝 of her game at 25, she played absolutely brilliantly in Melbourne and looked set to have huge year wish her all the best in whatever she does next 👍😎👊💪✔️

— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) March 23, 2022

Ash, what can I say, you know I have tears right? My friend, I will miss you on tour. You were different, and special, and we shared some amazing moments. What’s next for you? Grand Slam champion in golf?! Be happy and enjoy your life to the max xo Simo@ashbarty pic.twitter.com/WbX7kXnJ1l

— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) March 23, 2022

Ash Barty. Amazing tennis player but even better person. A champion in every sense of the word. Very proud of you mate ❤️

— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) March 23, 2022

Ash Barty is pure class. Congrats champ well deserved! https://t.co/JHFoXzPidY

— Jan-Michael Gambill (@JanmikeGambill) March 23, 2022

For every young girl that has looked up to you.

For every one of us that you’ve inspired.

For your love of the game.

Thank you, @ashbarty for the incredible mark you’ve left on-court, off-court and in our hearts 💜 pic.twitter.com/6wp9fmO439

— wta (@WTA) March 23, 2022

Rare enough to see some people follow their heart rather than the stream.
Bravo @ashbarty

— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) March 23, 2022

Ash, I have no words… actually you are showing your true class leaving tennis in this beautiful way.

I am so happy I could share the court with you.. tennis will never be the same without you! I admire you as a player and a person.. wishing you only the best! ❤️@ashbarty

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) March 23, 2022

Daniil Medvedev has an opportunity to retake the No. 1 spot in the ATP Rankings from Novak Djokovic following the Miami Open presented by Itau.

If the 26-year-old advances to at least the semi-finals at the season’s second ATP Masters 1000 event, he will begin his second stint atop men’s tennis’ mountain on 4 April. Medvedev on 28 February became the 27th player to reach World No. 1 since the creation of the ATP Rankings in 1973.

If Medvedev loses earlier than the semi-finals, Djokovic will remain World No. 1. The Serbian retook top spot on Monday following the BNP Paribas Open, where Medvedev lost in the third round against Gael Monfils.

Djokovic (8,465 points) currently holds a 55-point advantage over Medvedev (8,410). On 4 April, Djokovic will drop his 2019 Miami points (45) and Medvedev will drop his 2021 Miami points (180), giving the Serbian a virtual 190-point lead. 

However, since Djokovic is not competing in Miami, the battle for No. 1 is in Medvedev’s hands. The four-time ATP Masters 1000 titlist will try to earn his first title of the season in Florida.

The stars of the ATP Tour and the Hologic WTA Tour are used to competing against each other, but on Tuesday they came together in a big way in Miami.

The world’s best tennis players ventured into the wider South Florida community for the second edition of Miami Open Unites, a series of events held throughout the day in which athletes competing in the Miami Open presented by Itau supported those in need, inspired the next generation and more.

Andy Murray, Frances Tiafoe, Sania Mirza and Jessica Pegula visited Moore Park Tennis Centre, which was founded by Arthur Ashe and Butch Buchholz, to participate in a clinic put on by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami and answer questions from the kids.

“I think it’s so important. You see kids here from all different backgrounds just enjoying picking up tennis racquets. Some are playing for the first time and that’s ultimately what we want to do,” Murray said. “We want to try and give back to our sport a little bit and inspire some kids to take up tennis.”

Pegula was touched by hearing from some of the kids and learning how the programme has been able to improve the lives of many kids in the area.

“It was pretty incredible to hear some of the stories of some of the partnerships that they’ve done, and matching kids with mentors and Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and how some of them have even gone on and been professional athletes just like us. It’s really special and just kind of humbling,” Pegula said. “It’s really super important. It’s the reason why I think we all are happy to be here, to do this, to give back to the community that is putting on the event.”

^{Photo Credit: Peter Staples/ATP Tour}
Elsewhere, Fabio Fognini, Casper Ruud and Simona Halep helped Rebuilding Together, which repairs and rebuilds housing for senior citizens and veterans, while Jannik Sinner and Sloane Stephens joined the Miami Open team for a donation to Dress For Success, a not-for-profit organisation that provides women a network of support, professional attire and more.

Matteo Berrettini, Denis Shapovalov and Belinda Bencic, all big fans of dogs, went to the Humane Society of Greater Miami to help groom some lost and forgotten animals from South Florida. The ultimate goal of the centre is to help prepare the animals for adoption.

“Today we are at the dog shelter, we are making dog baths and I think it’s very nice,” Bencic said. “For me this one suits the most. I really love dogs and I also have a dog from a dog shelter, actually. So that’s why I think this one is best for me, but I really like the whole idea of this initiative.”

^{Photo Credit: Peter Staples/ATP Tour}
Another activity saw Carlos Alcaraz, Pablo Carreno Busta, Paula Badosa and Ons Jabeur spend time at the Miami Rescue Mission to feed those in need of meals. Roberto Bautista Agut, Reilly Opelka and Samantha Stosur travelled to Liberty City to assist Health in the Hood by planting seeds in a vegetable garden, which will turn into produce that is distributed for free to those in need.

In the final event of the day, Diego Schwartzman, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alize Cornet and Karolina Pliskova took a trip to Miami Beach to clean up garbage. They even had a fun little competition among themselves to see who would pick up the most trash.

“Making every single day count,” Tsitsipas said. “[It is about] sustainability and trying to save our planet and make it a better place to live.”

Tennis players serve every day on the tennis court. But on Tuesday, Carlos Alcaraz led a quartet of ATP Tour and WTA Tour stars in serving food for the needy as part of Miami Open Unites.

Alcaraz, Pablo Carreno Busta, Paula Badosa and Ons Jabeur served lunch at the Miami Rescue Mission, which has existed for 100 years. The Mission provides food, shelter and programmes to guests in South Florida.

“It was pretty amazing. I’m so happy to be able to help,” Alcaraz said. “It’s good to do different things than tennis, so I’m really happy.”

One year ago on his Miami Open presented by Itau debut, Alcaraz was No. 132 in the ATP Rankings and still breaking onto the ATP Tour. Now the reigning Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals champion is a career-high World No. 16 and one of the tournament favourites in Miami.

Last week, the 18-year-old made the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals and pushed Rafael Nadal in a thrilling three-set semi-final. Alcaraz is excited to be back in Miami and continue his ascent.

“It’s amazing. I watched this tournament since I was a kid. It’s a pretty good tournament,” Alcaraz said. “Last year with the pandemic and Covid, it was a little bit different. But this year for sure it’s going to be a different year, different tournament. I’m really happy to be able to play here in Miami.”

^{Photo Credit: Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour}
The tennis stars served a lunch of meat, rice, beans and plantains. Carreno Busta ensured that all guests received a drink to go with their meal.

“We had the opportunity to do this kind of activity and are [happy] to be here,” Carreno Busta said. “This is our work also, so I think that we want to help as soon as we can and this activity is very important to these people [so they can] have lunch, to have dinner. I appreciate being here.”

This was Badosa’s first visit to an activity like this. The Spaniard called it a “very nice experience”.

“The people were very nice here. For me it’s very nice to do these kind of activities,” Badosa said. “I think it’s a part of our job as well to help each other. It’s very important and for me it’s very special to be here because I’m really a person that likes to help.”

Jabeur added that this was a reminder of how important it is to give back as soon as possible. The Tunisian hopes to do it more often.

“I’ve loved helping people from a very young age and as soon as I have the opportunity to, I can see those guests really needed help, so be able to provide this is unbelievable,” Jabeur said. “It’s a great feeling and it makes me very grateful for the life I have. You should not take anything for granted.”

On his day, Nick Kyrgios poses a threat to anyone he faces at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

The Australian will seek to improve his 12-4 record at the ATP Masters 1000 event when he faces Adrian Mannarino as the first round action begins on Wednesday at Hard Rock Stadium.

Kyrgios looked in top form during his quarter-final run at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and has serious pedigree in Miami. He reached the semi-finals at the tournament’s former home in Key Biscayne in 2016 and 2017 and has never failed to reach the fourth round in four appearances in south Florida.

View Singles Draw | View Doubles Draw

The six-time ATP Tour-titlist was in a positive mood in Indian Wells as he ousted Top 10-star Casper Ruud before falling to Rafael Nadal. “I’m just comfortable in my own skin,” said Kyrgios after his thumping first-round win over Sebastian Baez. “Mentally I feel the best I’ve probably ever felt, to be honest.”

The Australian will need to be focused from the start on Wednesday against an opponent whose best run in Miami was a fourth-round appearance in 201. The match will put one of tennis’ flashiest and gifted showmen, who has not always maximised his prodigious talent, against a no-frills workman known for extracting the most from his game through his determination and work ethic. Who will win is anybody’s guess.

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Gilles Simon will need to channel all his experience to edge one step closer to 500 career victories when he takes on an opponent seeking just his third tour-level win in 20-year-old wild card Jack Draper. Simon could reach his milestone by beating Draper and then 10th seed Cameron Norrie in the second round, and will hope to draw inspiration from his three previous quarter-final runs in Miami.

Draper takes to the court in confident mood. The Brit has notched three titles on the ATP Challenger Tour in 2022 to rise to No. 146 in the ATP Rankings and put himself in the early running for a spot at November’s Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals.

Here is what you need to know about the two weeks ahead 🔥 @emirates #ScoutingReport

— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 22, 2022

Another player to enjoy significant recent success on the Challenger Tour is Tallon Griekspoor, who won seven titles at that level in 2021. He faces a first meeting with the Argentine World No. 103 Francisco Cerundolo in Miami.

Griekspoor lost out to Sam Querrey on his Masters 1000 debut in Indian Wells, but the Dutchman believes success will come as he plays more regularly at the top level. “I’m just looking to play week in, week out with those guys,” Griekspoor recently told ATPTour.com. “Maybe I’m looking for my first ATP title somewhere. Why not?

“For me, the level in Challengers is also tough. It’s not like it’s a lot different, so maybe that’s a goal, but it’s not like if I don’t make it this year I’m done. I think I have many years to come.”

Also meeting for the first time on Tour are Maxime Cressy and Emil Ruusuvuori. Both players have reached maiden ATP Tour finals in 2022. Cressy’s serve-and-volley game overcame Reilly Opelka and Grigor Dimitrov before being stopped by Rafael Nadal at January’s Melbourne Summer Set, while Ruusuvuori lost out to Joao Sousa in the final of the Tata Open Maharashtra in Pune in February. The reward for the winner will be a second-round meeting with 10th seed Jannik Sinner.

#NextGenATP American Brandon Nakashima makes his main-draw debut in Miami, facing off against World No. 63 Soonwoo Kwon, while former Top 20 star Benoit Paire plays Henri Laaksonen. The Frenchman has never been past the third round in Miami in six main-draw appearances.