Opelka’s serve hits new heights in Miami
Reilly Opelka’s booming delivery, refined under Craig Boynton’s guidance, overwhelms Jack Draper in a tense tiebreak battle at the Miami Open, signaling a sharper edge to the American’s game.
Under the glaring lights of Hard Rock Stadium, Reilly Opelka uncoils his towering frame, the ball soaring high before exploding down at the line. The Miami Open presented by Itau pulses with the familiar dread his serve inspires, but this version feels sharper, more insidious. In 2026, with 254 aces across just 10 matches, he’s averaging 25.4 per outing—a leap from last year’s 16.1, when he trailed only Taylor Fritz with 790 in 49 matches.
Opelka credits his January alliance with Craig Boynton, the coach who once fine-tuned the arsenals of John Isner and Hubert Hurkacz. Boynton’s touch has introduced technical tweaks, blending power with precision on these grippy hard courts. The result? A weapon that pins returners deeper, forcing errors in the humid air.
“We have made a few technical changes. We’ve been working on my return, believe it or not. The stats don’t show in terms of breaking, but if you look at my stats with balls in play, there are a lot of positive things happening,” Opelka said after beating Jack Draper 7-6(3), 7-6(0). “I am serving really well. I am serving the best I have served. I am really happy with my motion and technique. We are still early on, but I could not have picked a better coach.”
Boynton‘s refinements unlock precision
The partnership has shifted Opelka’s motion for consistency, emphasizing varied spin to disrupt rhythms on Miami‘s medium-paced surface. Flat bombs down the T mix with heavy topspin out wide, pulling opponents like Draper into uncomfortable stretches. Even as breaks elude him, the balls in play reveal defensive gains from return drills, turning potential weaknesses into subtle advantages.
In the first round, 27 aces hammered Nuno Borges, many via crosscourt serves that jammed the Portuguese’s forehand. Against Draper, fresh off a left arm injury in his third event back, Opelka fired 25 more, deploying inside-out deliveries from the ad side to exploit the Briton’s positioning. The tiebreaks unfolded as serving clinics, with Draper’s lefty slice returns wilting under the barrage, the crowd’s gasps punctuating each unreturnable thud.
At 28, Opelka stands one win from his first ATP Masters 1000 fourth round since Indian Wells in 2022. A potential clash with Taylor Fritz or Botic van de Zandschulp looms, where serve-return duels could decide everything amid the rising humidity.
Draper’s grit tests the upgrade
Draper’s backhand returns, laced with underspin, usually scramble right-handers, but Opelka’s 1–2 patterns—serve followed by aggressive forehand approaches—neutralized them. The first set tiebreak saw Draper claw to 3-3 before Opelka’s down-the-line ace sealed it, the momentum carrying into a second-set 7-6(0) rout. Psychologically, it marked a release for Opelka, whose season has balanced injury recovery with the pressure to sustain his ace dominance.
The atmosphere thickened as Draper’s resolve frayed, fans sensing the American’s growing command. This wasn’t raw power alone; Boynton’s adjustments added layers, like kick serves curving wide to stretch the lefty’s reach. Opelka’s poise under the Miami sun hinted at deeper runs, transforming doubt into quiet confidence.
American depth fuels tournament surge
Ethan Quinn extended the U.S. momentum, saving seven set points to defeat 11th seed Casper Ruud 6-4, 7-6(7) after upending Hubert Hurkacz earlier. Coming off the Phoenix Challenger title, Quinn’s flat groundstrokes exploited Ruud’s topspin, holding at 85% while breaking twice on the skidding courts. His next test against Jiri Lehecka or Moise Kouame carries underdog energy, the cheers amplifying his breakout arc.
Tommy Paul, buoyed by his Delray Beach final, outlasted Adrian Mannarino 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 with inside-in forehands that pierced the Frenchman’s slice defense. Paul’s baseline versatility secured the decider, setting up a third-round date with Flavio Cobolli or Raphael Collignon. In the swelter, these victories weave resilience, Opelka’s evolved serve leading a charge toward more upsets.
As the draw progresses, Miami’s hard courts reward tactical depth, with Opelka’s refinements positioning him to challenge the elite. The psychological boost from these wins ripples through the American contingent, promising tighter battles under the tropical glare.
