Men's French Open 🇫🇷 Day 3 Results
Alex De Minaur (21) d Stefano Travaglia 6-2 6-4 7-6(4)
It's another match ultimately decided on break point opportunities. The Aussie clinching 5/7 (71%) compared to the Italian's 2/16 (12.5%). The Aussie makes every point count like his life depends on it.
Ricardas Berankis d Ugo Humbert (29) 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4
The Frenchman had chances, but ultimately it was the Lithuanian to be more clinical in the match. Statistically very close, but once again it comes down the efficiency in break point opportunities, which Humbert failed to do. Sometimes having a crowd can be harmful to the players, and they can feel more pressure, which Humbert as a 22yo looked to struggle to compose himself.
Aslan Karatsev (24) d Jenson Brooksby 6-3 6-4 6-4
Despite Brooskby having a very good challenger run recently, winning the past 28/30 matches, it is another level facing the Russian. Brooksby's attitude is amazing and is definitely going to rise from 232 in the rankings as he matures past 20yo.
Marco Cecchinato d Yasutaka Uchiyama 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4
The Italian serving at an average of 80% served him very well for the match. Cecchinato has been in good form recently, and interested to see how he fairs up against Alex De Minaur in the second round.
Mikael Ymer d Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4 0-6 4-6 6-2 6-2
Despite being favourite and with a 2-1 set lead, the Spaniard couldn't complete the match. Baena seemed to pick up an injury, allowing the Swede to finish the match off comfortably.
Aljaz Bedene d Adrian Mannarino 7-5 3-6 7-5 6-2
Bedene has been in good form lately, with Mannarino slowly facing off the ATP tour. Neither played great statistically in serving, but it was Bedene creating the break point opportunities, and Mannarino having little answer.
James Duckworth d Salvatore Caruso 6-4 3-6 7-6(4) 6-2
Another case of wasted break point opportunities for the Italian! Duckworth converting 5/15 (33%) compared to Caruso's 4/25 (16%).
Gael Monfils (14) d Albert Ramos-Vinolas 1-6 7-6(6) 6-4 6-4
It was expected for the Spaniard to at least win a set, but after the second set, it looked like there was nothing stopping Monfils from winning. The crowd was the loudest i've heard this tournament, with questions about his love towards tennis in the bin. Monfils looked extremely motivated to give the crowd a French victory. With some shots that wound back the clock, it was definitely a spectacle.
Phillip Kohlschreiber d Fernando Verdasco 7-6(3) 6-2 2-6 6-4
With reports of Verdasco ascertaining a bit of an injury in Belgrade last week, the German pounced with a 2-0 set lead, but Verdasco wound back the clock in an impressive 3rd set, only for Kohlschreiber to finish the match in a a stylish 4th set.
Mateo Berrettini (9) d Taro Daniel 6-0 6-4 4-6 6-4
The highest ranked Italian started off sensationally, and used his serve spectacularly as his weapon, winning 90% of his first serves. Unreal! Daniel could not do much about it, and with a weaker third set from Berrettini, the man from Japan snatched it, but the momentum was short lived, as the world no 9 was clinical in the 4th set.
Jan-Lennard Struff d Andrey Rublev (7) 6-3 7-6(6) 4-6 3-6 6-4
In an affair lasting almost 4 hours, the German prevailed in a thriller 5-setter. Struff played exceptional in the first two sets, but geared Rublev's determination harder to fight back, but ultimately the better player was Struff, featuring 79% win of first serves, being his crucial weapon.
Diego Schwartzmann (10) Lu Yen-hSun 6-2 6-2 6-3
The Argentine found his groove finally against a weaker point in Lu, but Schwartzmann's form was questionable leading into Roland Garros, with 2/7 wins this season on clay. The world no 10 will find his second round matchup in Aljaz Bedene it bit more difficult.
Federico Coria d Feliciano Lopez 6-3 7-6(4) 6-2
The 39yo could not do a lot against Coria's aggressive play. Coria served incredible, with 84% serves in, allowing him to start aggressive, and although Lopez is normally a defensive player, the best of 5 sets is not a great suit for this play, especially for a man of his age. Coria will be playing Berrettini in the second round, and will be interesting, because if Coria is able to keep producing great serving stats, and Berrettini has trouble serving, it could be Coria's match to win.
Richard Gasquet d Hugo Gaston 6-1 6-4 6-2
Very disappointed with Gaston here. He had potential to break Gasquet, but did not play a smart game. Gasquet was clinical as always, and did not give the 20yo a chance.
Rafael Nadal (3) d Alexei Popyrin 6-3 6-2 7-6(3)
Despite Popyrin having a couple of set points serving for the 3rd set, it was the Spaniard to seal it in a standard straight sets match. Popyrin played well, but one must play out of their skin to win a set or two, let alone win the match.
Soon-Woo Kwon d Kevin Anderson 7-5 6-4 2-6 7-6(4)
Anderson reminds me of my preview of Cilic. If the opponent won the first set, it would be extremely difficult to comeback. Although the South African has had his fair share of comeback fairytales, he is 35, and ranked 100 now. Kwon is in his prime and playing some decent tennis on clay.
Novak Djokovic (1) d Tennys Sandgren 6-2 6-4 6-2
Djokovic played more clinical than usual, giving no breaks away, unlike his recent matches. This is the form we need from Djoker if he is to be a title contender. 86% win on first serves means he is controlling the point from the get go, and moving the American around. Good form to see first round.
Andreas Seppi d Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3 7-6(8) 4-6 6-4
The 37yo Italian played very aggressively, controlling most of the match from on the baseline, whereas other players like Felix play a few metres behind the baseline. This style of play from Seppi allows him to control the points and lead the 20yo stunned.
