ATP Washington 🇺🇸 Round of 32
Denis Kudla d Taylor Fritz (10) 6-4 6-2
Kudla finally got his revenge over the young American! It is not easy converting 5/8 break points against a serve like Fritz. The 23yo was only serving at 51% on his first serve, so Kudla pounced on it. Fritz had more opportunities to break, but just could not convert (2/9) (22%).
Steve Johnson d Alex De Minaur (3)
It seems De Minaur is not what he was, despite being 22yo. Johnson just had the momentum and there was no way of looking like he was losing in the final two sets. Johnson was just that bit more aggressive and consistent, which is a horrible combatant against a player like Alex De Minaur.
Jenson Brooksby d Frances Tiafoe (16) 7-6(4) 7-5
In the battle of the Americans, and possibly the most exciting match of the day, we saw up n comer 20yo Brooksby up against the fierce Frances Tiafoe (16). Brooksby looked threatening early, and it was the 20yo once again showing no fear in close tiebreaks, pushing Tiafoe to the brink! The second set was much of the same, but a few momentum swings. Ultimately, the audience pushed the youngstar over the line with an incredibly close match.
John Millman (11) d Elias Ymer 6-2 7-6(8)
The only Aussie left in the group got his revenge on Ymer defeating Jordan Thompson in the first round. Millman was just more consistent all round, and the inconsistencies from Ymer could have been from his tiring first round comeback. Ymer had his chances, including 3 more break points, and 2 set points in the second set, but Millman stayed strong and consistent towards the tighter parts of the match.
Brandon Nakashima d Daniel Evans 7-6(1) 6-0
The young American continues to WOW! Despite the odds giving slight favouritism to Nakashima, Evans can pull it off sometimes, but a 6-0 second set from a player who is definitely not used to playing so many matches at this level shows great maturity.
Reilly Opelka (8) d Daniel Galan 7-6(1) 6-3
Despite a niggle from Opelka, his serve was too good for Galan to break. Galan did have 5 opportunities, but realistically Opelka is serving 5 unreturnable serves. Galan did very well, but it was only the one break necessary for Opelka to complete the match in 94 minutes.
Lloyd Harris (14) d Tennys Sandgren 6-4 1-0 (WALKOVER)
Despite a very close first set, mentally Sandgren just could comeback against a fit youngster like Harris. Harris serving well, hitting 11 aces in just 7 service games.
Jannik Sinner (5) d Emil Ruusivuori 6-2 6-4
Sinner was on a 4 match losing streak, and coming up against Emil is no easy task considering Emil was one set away from a final last week in Atlanta. Sinner winning 85% on his first serve, using his 1-2 punch to hit winners or forced errors to the man from Finland. The more impressive stat, was giving no opportunity for Ruusivuori to break! This might be the corner Sinner needed to turn to be back in the winning form he was.
Ilya Ivashka d Grigor Dimitrov (4) 6-2 7-6(4)
Dimitrov is one of those players that can be amazing one day, but terribly inconsistent on other days. Today was that day where Ivashka was able to take advantage of Dimitrov's inconsistencies, and force many errors from the Bulgarian 4th seed.
Kei Nishikori d Alexander Bublik (9) 6-2 7-5
Nishikori, pardoning his performance against Djokovic at the Olympics, has been in hot form! Coming against a player like Bublik, Nishikori's mentality is far superior, and when Bublik turns up in a playful mood, Nishikori will punish. Bublik serving at only 50% on his first serve, leading to a whopping 19 double faults!
Mackenzie McDonald d Benoit Paire (13) 6-7(6) 6-4 6-4
Despite a rocky start from both players, it was Paire with the magic as he can sometimes display. Lately, he has definitely been playing with more passion, and that is exactly what he saw, breaking back three times during the match. However, Paire's luck ran out, as the American, with the help of the crowd, carried him to a three set win on his fourth match point.
Rafael Nadal (1) d Jack Sock 6-2 5-6 7-6(1)
This was, and will be, the match of the tournament, if not match of the year for a nonGrand Slam event. Nadal, who has never played anything less than an ATP Masters 1000 tournament in the States was put to the test against the American and the crowd. The first set was no surprise, but Sock had glimpses, creating three break points early in the first set. Sock looked natural on the big stage, with glimpses back to his ATP Finals days. Overall, the fairytale had to end, and despite a third set fight from the American, Nadal prevailed in the most entertaining match to watch as the final match of the day lasting just over 3 hours.
