Pablo Andujar d Roger Federer 6-4 4-6 6-4
The Swiss man is out! A very close match statistically, but the Spaniard was just more consistent! Federer did lead 4-2 in the 3rd set, but many unforced errors from Federer was a result from lack of practice, and not getting the timing just right. Although this is Federer's home city, it just wasn't enough to advance.
Marco Cecchinato d Stefano Travaglia 6-3 3-0 (Retired)
An Italian affair! Cecchinato was just too good. Similar players but Cecchinato coming out on top! Just more clinical on court, especially serving % which saw first serve win % for Cecchinato at 81% compared to 50%.
Feliciano Lopez v Daniel Altmaier 7-6(6) 6-4
A common theme in 2021 is the old gen vs next gen. Lopez converting 3/8 break points compared to 2/3 for the German. Lopez showed Altmaier who's boss in a clinical clay display from Lopez. It will be interesting how far Lopez can go in the tournament, or if he gasses out.
Dominic Stephan Stricker d Marin Cilic 7-6(5) 6-1
Stricker, playing in his home country, only 2hours drive from his residency, played magnificently. His left-handed play style and agility definitely caused problems for the Croatian. Although the Swede couldn't serve out the first set at 6-5, he was able to grab the tiebreaker. With Cilic being 32, it's incredibly hard to see him comeback after a set, especially on clay. Stricker, being only 18yo, was a bit timid at times, and let Cilic make the mistakes, reminding me of a young Aussie Lleyton Hewitt. A hustler. Excited to see him face Marton Fucsovics.
Marton Fucsovics d Henri Laaksonen 7-5 7-5
A match full of momentum shifts, saw 10 total breaks of serve. Fucsovics certainly likes to keep matches interesting, as he could've run away with the match, but definitely loses mentality. Laaksonen did have atleast 2 game points in each set to make it a tiebreaker, although not to be. It will be interesting to see how he goes against the only Swede left in the draw in 18yo Dominic Stephan Stricker.
Ilya Ivashka d Fernando Verdasco 7-6(5) 6-4
Ivashka has been very impressive in his clay return this year. With only one break of serve, both players were clinical, but it was the younger man from Belarus victorious. With wins over people like Zverev, and taking a set off Rafael Nadal, it's clear the Belarusian will be a clay threat for coming years. Will love to see how he goes in this tournament and in the French Open in a couple of weeks.
Pablo Cuevas d Reilly Opelka 7-6(5) 6-2
The 35yo man from Uruguay pulls off a great display of tennis! A tight first set, but Opelka lost his mentality, and probably thought he'd done enough the last week in reaching the SF of Rome, and crumbled in the second set.
Laslo Djere d Thiago Monteiro 6-7(7) 6-3 7-5
Another tight affair! Not many wins for either player during the clay season. Djere only converting 5/20 break points, compared to Monteiro 3/4. Huge potential for Djere to close the match off easier. I don't believe Djere will go far in this tournament, but a great win under the belt for him!
Fabio Fognini d Guido Pella 6-2 6-2
A clinical display from the Italian, with 100% break point conversion (4/4) compared to 0/2 for Pella. Another important stat was first serve win % 86% for the Italian and only 53% for the Argentine. Fognini faces Djere in the next round. Fognini should close it out.