Impressive Draper wins in Miami opener

British men's number two Jack Draper bounced back to form with an impressive display in the Miami Open first round.

Draper, 22, lost in the Indian Wells first round earlier this month but started the second part of what is known as the 'Sunshine Double' with a 6-3 6-2 win over Japan's Taro Daniel.

The powerful left-hander, ranked 42nd in the world, only dropped eight points on serve and broke Daniel three times.

Draper will play Chile's Nicolas Jarry, seeded 22nd, in the second round.

Two-time champion Andy Murray plays later on Wednesday as he begins what is expected to be his final appearance in Miami.

Murray, who turns 37 in May, has indicated this will be his last season on the ATP Tour before retiring later this year.

The Scot faces Italian former world number six Matteo Berrettini, who is playing under a protected ranking after a series of injuries over the past year.

While Murray is coming towards the end of his career, Draper is still only just getting going and the signs are increasingly encouraging.

One of his main targets this year is taking over the British number one ranking which Murray held for so many years, and he is hot on the heels of current incumbent Cameron Norrie.

Draper's talent - characterised by a powerful serve and explosive forehand - has never been in doubt, but there have been constant concerns about his physical and mental durability.

After reaching his first ATP final in Sofia at the end of last season, Draper started 2024 by finishing runner-up in Adelaide and recently reached the semi-finals of the Mexican Open.

However, he was forced to retire through illness in Acapulco in the latest of several unfortunate setbacks over the course of his young career.

The Miami Open is known for its difficult and humid conditions, but Draper - who headed straight to Florida following his early exit in California to acclimatise - showed no problems in an assured display against Daniel.

Draper used his biggest weapons to great effect, hitting 10 aces as he won 97% of his first-serve points, and was able to keep the points short in a victory which took little over an hour.

Next Draper will face Jarry, who received a first-round bye at the ATP Masters 1000 event, as he looks to go on a run which would help him surpass his previous career-best ranking of 37th in the world.