Serena Williams’ ex-coach predicts if Jack Draper can complete the Sunshine Double after Indian Wells success
Jack Draper is the most in-form player heading into the Miami Open having won the Indian Wells title and lost just two matches this season.
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Jack Draper (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)
Jack Draper earned the biggest career title after defeating Holger Rune in the final of the Indian Wells. The British No.1 is now seeking to complete the Sunshine Double by winning the Miami Open. Serena Williams’ ex-coach, Rennae Stubbs, has predicted whether or not the 23-year-old can win back-to-back ATP 1000 titles.
Draper has enjoyed wholesome success this season and has only lost two matches this year. The British star began his impressive run at the Qatar Open, where he reached the final but eventually succumbed to a defeat against Andrey Rublev. He did well to bounce back in Indian Wells and made a name for himself.
He handed Carlos Alcaraz his first loss in the California desert in two years before dismantling Rune 6-2, 6-2 in the final. This success propelled the British star to reach a career-high ranking of World No.7, and he’s just 55 points behind Casper Ruud in No.6. Draper is currently in Miami, and he’s hoping to become the eighth player to complete the Sunshine Double.
However, Rennae Stubbs doesn’t believe the 23-year-old can win the title despite being the most in-form player in the tournament. She revealed during an episode of her podcast that the weather and the ball are completely different from Indian Wells.
I don’t see Jack Draper going back to back, I think that’s going to be really, really hard for him. I am not saying he is not capable, but I do think that it is very hard to win the Sunshine Double. They have completely different feelings on the court. Not only are they different surfaces, but this is a little quicker here in Miami. The humidity makes that world of difference to how the ball plays as well. And guess what? It’s a new and different ball. Last week we had Wilson, this week Dunlop.
Rennae Stubbs via Rennae Stubbs podcast
Draper has an advantage as two of his titles are on a hard court. The British star has won three ATP titles, and his first was on grass at the Stuttgart Open last year.
Rennae Stubbs tips Madison Keys to win the WTA 1000 Miami Open
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka are top favorites to win the WTA 1000 Miami Open. However, Rennae Stubbs doesn’t see them winning the title. The legendary coach has picked Madison Keys, who defeated Sabalenka to win the Australian Open title in January. Also, Stubbs believes Jessica Pegula has a real shot at the title.
I do see two different people winning this tournament. We will see if Sabalenka can come back and back it up here. Can an American do something special on the women’s side, whether it be Jess Pegula or Madison Keys? I hope Madison Keys looks at that match and just throws it away. First loss of the year, who cares. Sabalenka got crushed by Rybakina a couple of years ago in Brisbane, same scoreline, and then went on and won the Australian Open. So you can have days like that.
Rennae Stubbs said
Keys already has two titles this season, while Swiatek has yet to win a title since the 2024 Roland Garros. The former is in better form having just lost one match in her last sixteen matches this season.
Jack Draper to play Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals of the Miami Open
Jack Draper was handed a tough draw at the Miami Open. The British star was handed a first-round bye due to his ranking position and will open his campaign against the winner between Roberto Bautista Agut and Jakub Mensik in the second round. After that, he’s likely to face Alexei Popyrin in the third round.
His first major test will be in the fourth where he will possibly face Holger Rune in the fourth round. It will be a rematch of the Indian Wells final. If Draper does win the match, he will then play Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals. The tie will be their maiden meeting in the ATP Tour.
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