Fils dispatches wild card Blanch to set up Miami Open last 32

Frenchman Arthur Fils, seed No. 28, defeated American wild card Darwin Blanch 6-2, 6-3 to reach the third round of the Miami Open on Friday night.

Fils, ranked No. 31, was in control throughout, handling the occasion with the authority of a seasoned Masters 1000 campaigner. He will next face the winner of the match between Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas and Australian Alex De Minaur, seed No. 5.

Blanch’s Miami run ends but the 18-year-old’s promise is clear

Blanch had given the home crowd plenty to cheer about in the first round, defeating German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. At 18, he became the youngest American to win a match at this level since Taylor Fritz a decade ago.

The American had previously played two Masters 1000s as a 16-year-old in 2024, beginning with Miami itself, before facing ATP icon Rafael Nadal in Madrid. Trained at Juan Carlos Ferrero’s academy in Alicante, Blanch is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in the American game.

Friday night was a step too far, but few will doubt there are many more Miami nights ahead for him.