Jensen Brooksby d Evgeny Donskoy 7-5 6-3
Brooksby is just inside the top 150 (147) in the world, but is quickly rising up the ranks as a 20yo. The American winning 83% on his first serve, moving Donskoy around well, and coming into the net, which can be nervewracking. The crowd were behind him as he roared to victory, looking to have little nerves. A great sign for the future.
Kevin Anderson (8) d Ilya Marhenko 7-5 6-3
This was a battle in the first set, with Ukranian producing some magnificent defence turned offence, but he crumbled in his final service game of the set, double-faulting to end it. The second set had no shift in momentum as the South African delivered 16 aces and making the most of his break points (2/2) to clinch a break early in the second set and bring it home relatively easy on his racquet
Yuichi Sugita d Jurij Rodionov 7-5 6-3
Sugita, not known for his serve, was serving extremely well, getting 95% of his first serve in, and winning 76% of those compared to Rodionov's 70% in and 69% winning on first serve.
Jordan Thompson (7) d Cedrik-Marcel Stebe 5-4 (WALKOVER)
These two were neck and neck, with both serving well but seeming to return even better. 3 breaks of serve, and an injury concern for the German, it did not get better.
Sebastian Ofner d Yuichi Uchiyama 6-4 6-4
Ofner currently ranked at 167, but is looking to make it a good run here in Newport, and has a 15/9 record, better than most on the tour. Both players served well, but it was the Austrian serving exceptionally winning 89% of first serves, converting 2/2 break points, showing that he does not waste opportunities, and leaving no opportunity for the Jap to break.
Ivo Karlovic d Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-7(5) 6-1 6-4
Karlovic, now sitting at 42yo, but still standing at at 6'11'' or 211cm, served 24 aces in his eventual demolition over the Spaniard. Karlovic is still ranked at 210 in the world as he is not playing much, but he enjoys the faster surfaces, winning 87% of first serves and leaving little opportunity for Miralles to break.
Jason Jung d Brayden Schnur 7-5 6-7(1) 7-6(4)
With 10 breaks in the game, there were many opportunities for the match to be closed earlier. Both players have hovered in the 100-200 ranking for their careers. Jung ages 32, and Schnur 26, so the amount of breaks is consistent with their inconsistencies.
Tennys Sandgren (5) d Joao Sousa 6-4 7-6(3)
Sandgren serving 10 aces and serving consistently, to sweep a straight sets victory of Sousa. Sandgren did not win comfortably, but he likes to get his mentality in the way of easy victories, but still likes to grab the win, much like Hurkacz or Fucsovics.
Jack Sock d Alex Bolt 3-6 6-4 6-3
With a spirited crowd behind his back, Jack Sock rose from a set down to comeback victorious. The American was even down a break in the final set, but was able to claw back, winning the final 4 games of the match. This was Sock's first win on grass in 4 years, and with a 14/14 grass career record, his match against Yoshihito Nishioka (3) could be a second win, and Nishioka has a 10/13 win/loss record.
Peter Gojowczyk d Mitchell Krueger 6-2 6-2
The German looked exceptional, serving 7 aces, getting 96% of first serves, and winning 82% of first serves. Gojowczyk is a consistent player, and although now ranked 132, he was ranked 39 just 3 years ago. He has potential, and it will be an interesting matchup against 4th seed Vasek Pospisil, who is fresh off a bye in the first round.
Maxime Cressy d Paolo Lorenzi 6-1 6-2
Cressy looked unbelievable in this matchup. It was an easy one, with Lorenzi aged 39 and ranked 165. Lorenzi also has one of the worst grass records, with a 7/30 W/L rate (18.92%). The American not just with the crowd behind him, but a lethal serve. 9 aces, and winning 91% of first serves, breaking twice in each set to secure a straight forward victory.
Denis Kudla d Steve Johnson (6) 7-6(3) 3-6 6-4
Kudla has been in top form recently, winning 12/15 grass matches this season. Kudla started edgy, with Johnson having opportunities to steal the set, but Kudla coming in clutch, taking the first set, and serving confidently in the last set, winning most serving games to 0 or 15.
