Kevin Anderson (8) d Jack Sock 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4
it was a great match preview, with the crowd favourite Sock taking the first set against the 8th seed. However, tides were slowly turning as we saw more aces from Anderson, and first serves continually unreturned. The South African broke twice in the second set, and was clearly looking the more motivated to win the match. Anderson ending the match with 20 aces to 4 and winning 88% of first serves.
Alexander Bublik (1) d Jason Jung 6-2 6-4
Previously, it was not known if some people turn up to the match or not. You sort of find out on the day in how they play. With this match up, it was felt that Bublik, who usually likes to mess around, may not have much fun doing so against a 32yo ranked in the 100s. Bublik got down to business, serving 14-1 aces, winning 85% of his first serves, and 95% of his second serves, creating 8 break point opportunites compared to just one for the Taiwanese world no 163.
Jordan Thompson (7) d Maxime Cressy 6-3 7-6(6)
Both players did well on their serve for the most part, but it was the Aussie finding the cracks in the American's game, creating and converting 2/8 break points compared to just 1/3 for the world no 155. Although the crowd was ofcourse barracking for the American, this can sometimes create more pressure for Cressy, in which, if you are not seasoned enough, it can go very poorly for you. Cressy crumbled under the pressure in the tiebreak, serving nervously and playing almost defensively.
Jenson Brooksby d Peter Gojowczyk 6-0 6-3
Brooksby, ranking 152 in the world, loves the crowd supporting him, making him feel like he is not playing a challenger across the world with a handful of fans. From the statistics, it looked like the German self-sabotaged, only getting his first serve in 36%, and only winning the first serve 56%, and second serve win of 39%. This led to 5 double faults, ultimately providing 13 break point opportunities throughout the match; the 20yo converting 5 of them and finishing the match in 63 minutes.
