Laslo Djere (7) d Zizou Bergs 6-2 4-6 6-2
There has been a lot of commotion about Zizou Bergs, and it was not just about his peculiar name. Djere silenced the commotion in a dominant first set, but Bergs had other ideas in the second set, staying aggressive, and it paid off, breaking back for the third time that set. From there, Bergs' luck ran out, and the Serb train was steaming home.
Hugo Gaston d Federico Delbonis (5) 6-0 6-7(2) 7-6(3)
In the battle of the lefties, in was the unseeded Frenchman firing well early on, steaming to take the first set in 23 minutes. Gaston was serving for the match at 5-3 in the second set, but the Argentine was not done, breaking back, and taking the second set in a tiebreaker! The crowd thought Gaston's luck had run out, but the clock was still ticking for the Frenchman, producing some slick tennis in the tiebreak.
Arthur Rinderknech d Roberto Bautista Agut (2) 6-2 6-4
Rinderknech continued his impressive clay season with an unusually inconsistent Spaniard. The Frenchman was just too aggressive, serving 5 more aces, and winning 17% more on first serves. Bautista Agut just does not seems like he is in his groove. Although he still ranks 16th in the world, he is now 33, and this may be the beginning of the decline of the Spaniard, whilst Rinderknech's future is looking bright!
Mikael Ymer d Feliciano Lopez (8) 6-7(6) 7-6(7) 6-4
Lopez is always a consistent player, but he can lack the speed and agility around the court which Ymer had. It was a matter of how strong Ymer could be whilst staying consistent. Lopez was up 5-3 in the second set tiebreak, and had a match point at 6-5 in the tiebreak, but could not convert. The Swede only needing the one break to sweep the third set.
Benoit Paire d Tallon Griekspoor 6-4 (WALKOVER)
Paire had the crowd behind him as he played some decent tennis. Griekspoor did not look at his best, was clearly injured towards the end of the first set, and after the first point of the second set retired.
Casper Ruud (3) d Denis Novak 6-4 7-6(5)
Ruud's huge forehand was on display on Roy Emerson Arena, stretching Novak wide, and coming in well. Novak held his own for the most, but Ruud found the cracks, breaking when Novak was serving to stay in the set.
Vit Kopriva d Denis Shapovalov (1) 2-6 6-3 6-2
Some quality shots from Kopriva early, but it was Shapovalov doing his thing in the first set. What was to come was unexpected. The no 1 seed dug himself holes, not playing himself. Double faulting in the double digits, and winning less points on his first serve. The Canadian just kept trying to finish at the net and it never worked. A great performance from the world no 249!
Cristian Garin (4) d Marc Polmans 6-3 6-0
Garin continues his impressive form, wiping the floor with the Aussie. The Aussie is only classy on the hard and grass surfaces, so Garin gave him a lesson, winning an average of 85% of serves compared to just 40% for the Polmans. The Chilean converting 5/9 break points compared to none for the Aussie, showing such a one sided display.
