Thiago Seyboth Wild d Nicola Kuhn 1-6 6-1 6-2
It was the Spaniard with the early momentum, using his serve to get off the ground quickly. However, over time, it was the Brazilian with the all round game to return with a nice little comeback. Statistically it was similar despite the momentum changes throughout the match. Seyboth Wild is a spirited player, and grew the momentum, finishing the match off nicely in two hours.
Sebastian Baez d Corentin Moutet 6-1 6-2
Baez ranks 164 in the world, but played like a top 20 player in his demolishment of the world no 89. The Frenchman is not inexperienced in clay, but the Baez kept being the aggressor, much to Moutet's dismay. Moutet could not find an answer, and was just getting pushed deep and around the court. Baez broke Moutet's first and final service game in the second set, to sweep the world no 89 in just over an hour.
Benoit Paire (8) d Ricardas Berankis 6-6 (WALKOVER)
There were some shifts of momentum, as Paire usually encourages in his opponents, with half of the games being breaks of serve. Just before the beginning of the tie-breaker, Berankis decided not to continue the match as he injured his ankle and was not able to walk properly.
Juan Pablo Viralles d Sumit Nagal 6-0 6-4
Viralles won the game on his racquet! Winning 95% of first serves, and converting 4/4 break points, not giving any break opportunities to his counterpart.
Carlos Taberner d Feliciano Lopez 6-4 3-6 6-3
Taberner looked good in the first set, and Lopez being 39, struggles to come back in 3 sets. Taberner stayed strong and did not lose his cool against Lopez's unique play style, serving his final service game to 0.
Phillip Kohlschreiber d Jaume Munar 7-6(5) 6-4
Kohlschreiber was fighting hard in the first set, saving a set point when Munar was serving for the set at 5-4. Kohlschreiber has an admirable mentality, and getting older he prefers to finish the chat in straight sets. Kohlschreiber definitely had luck on his side, saving a break point with a winner skimming the line.
Federico Delbonis d Zhizhen Zhang 6-1 5-7 6-4
Delbonis, the more natural clay-courter started strong, but it was the world no 161 taking the second set with aggression! Zhang, who had not won a profession grass court match until a month ago, had his struggles in the match. Ultimately, it was the more experienced, and better play in Delbonis to win, but Zhang did not lose without a fight.
Filip Krajinovic (6) d Daniel Altmaier 6-3 5-7(3) 6-1
Krajinovic has had rough seasons as of late, not winning as many matches as he would like, and not playing up to his usual level. Altmaier had the crowd on his back, and after taking the second set, it was possible there would be a huge momentum shift, but the Serb came out roaring, ensuring his aggression. Krajinovic's serve was not amazing, but his return game was superb, convering 4/15 break point opportunities throughout the match. Krajinovic did not have the usual celebration after winning the match, just going about it as business.
Dominik Koepfer d Maximillian Marterer 7-6 (2) 2-6 7-6(4)
It is not often that a player who does not break the opponent wins the match, but the lefty got the job done. Koepfer tends to have bursts of mentality shifts, and after winning the first set tiebreaker, he let go, and gave Marterer passage to take two breaks. From there, Koepfer refocused, and sweeped the final tiebreaker.
Laslo Djere d Jan-Lennard Struff (7) 6-4 6-4
Although Struff was the favourite for the match, he cannot be trusted to stay consistent. Djere has not had a great run either, but can show consistency moreso than the German. Djere's forehand was deadly, and his timing of the ball was impeccable, to lead Struff into indecisiveness. Struff's net game just was not good enough, leading Djere's forehand to be even more impactful, giving less time for the German to react to the Serb's superb forehand.
Alex Molcan d Gianluca Mager 4-6 6-4 7-6(3)
The Slovakian started slow, as it was a 50/50 match before according to the odds, but it was the Slovak coming back in a hotly contested match. Only 1 break each for the match, and it came down to a tiebreaker, with Molcan having a last surge of momentum to close out the match.
Dusan Lajovic (5) d Lucas Pouille 6-4 6-4
Lajovic's groundstrokes were impeccable, hitting many winners off both his forehand and backhand. Lajovic was just more consistent, and Pouille has not played as much high-level tennis lately after recovering from an 18month break from an elbow surgery.
