Alexander Zverev (6) d Roman Safiullin 7-6(4) 6-3 7-6(1)
Double fault Zverev was out in action again (10), but this time Safiullin could not run with the leads. Zverev was not playing great, but still swept the world no 182. Safiullin broke in all three sets, but as we know from round one, Zverev loves a chase. It's a mental switch that says "Stop stuffing around".
Federico Delbonis d Pablo Andujar 4-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-2
In a tightly contested match, with many momentum shifts, it was Delbonis to dig from the depths in a quality display of mentality and physicality on the court. Delbonis' serve was working well, handing out 14 to 2 aces throughout the match, and the 35yo could not sustain the fitness to win another 5 setter in a row.
Henri Laaksonen d Roberto Bautista Agut (11) 6-3 2-6 6-3 6-2
Laaksonen is quite possibly playing his best tennis yet, with some beautifully aggressive tennis against one of the hustlers on tour, especially on tour. The Spaniard was not playing his best tennis, and on this day, Laaksonen made the most of it.
Laslo Djere d Miomir Kecmanovic 4-6 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-3
Kecmanovic started off very well as underdog, but this was a day for comebacks, with many players coming from a set or two down to win, and this was possibly the comeback of the night. Djere grabbed an early break in the third set, and ran with it. There was a clear swing of momentum, and Djere; the more experienced player jumped on the gas, convincingly winning the next three sets.
Casper Ruud (15) d Kamil Majchrzak 6-3 6-2 6-4
Ruud only conceding a couple of breaks throughout the match, but he is predicted to become one of the best returners on tour by the end of season, breaking six times in the three sets.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina d Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4 6-4 5-7 2-6 6-4
In almost 4 hours of tennis, the 21yo eventually gets the job done against the world no 154. Statistically a very close match, but Fokina should have closed the match in the third set. A young guy who let his mentality get the better of him in the 3rd and 4th sets, but had the focus to win the final set. It will be interesting to see how the 19yo fairs in the rest of the tournament. His next opponent: Ruud.
Kei Nishikori d Karen Khachanov (23) 4-6 6-2 2-6 6-4 6-4
The man from Japan wins his 26th 5th set match in his career! Nishikori loves a thriller 5 setter, and being down 2-1 sets, he knew what to do. Khachanov definitely dropped the ball in the latter part of the match, and Nishikori picked up the pieces, and breaking Khachanov one final time to win the match.
Fabio Fognini (27) d Marton Fucsovics 7-6(6) 6-1 6-2
It looked like Fucsovics may have been a big injured, because he did not show his normal fight like we're used to seeing. Fognini won the first set, and that must have been a mental block for the Hungarian, as he switched off, leaving Fognini to sweep the last two sets in a straight set victory.
John Isner (31) d Filip Krajinovic 7-6(6) 6-1 7-6(5)
Isner winning 91% of his first serves, including 23 aces. Unfortunately for his opponents, that is just a good day for the American. He served 22 aces against Sam Querrey in the first round, but faces Tsitsipas in the 3rd round, in which Tsitsipas holds a 3-2 H2H victory, winning the last three.
Reilly Opelka (32) d Jaume Munar 6-3 6-2 3-6 7-5
Opelka did seem more comfortable on clay, controlling his first serve and bullying the Spaniard around. The aggressiveness of the Americans this year has been incredible to watch, and it may not be a surprise if they continue to progress here.
Cristian Garin (22) d Mackenzie McDonald 4-6 4-6 7-6(7) 6-3 8-6
After 4h14m, the Chilean progresses into the 3rd round. Both players served reasonably well, but it was the groundstrokes playing the difference. Garin tends to start slow, and the American made the most of it, but a close 3rd set tiebreak shifted the momentum massively, allowing Garin to clinch the 5th set 8-6.
Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) d Pedro Martinez 6-3 6-4 6-3
The Greek God is on track, but he did get broken four times in his three set match, which is worrying. If he gets broken four times by his next opponent Isner, it would be difficult to redeem those breaks.
Marcos Giron d Guido Pella 7-6(2) 6-1 6-7(3) 6-4
Giron's first serve 78% win percentage compared to Pella's 59% likely made the difference here in a relatively tight contest. Giron faces Garin, who has played 9 sets in just two rounds.
Pablo Carreno Busta (12) d Enzo Couacaud 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-4
A dreamy first set for the world no 188, but it was reality from then, with no breaks given from the Spaniard in a clinical final three sets.
Steve Johnson d Thiago Monteiro 6-3 6-7(2) 7-6(2) 3-6 6-3
The American gets his second 5set victory! Another man who loves the long matches, and over the years watching him, love his underdog mentality to come out on top. Johnson has always been a grinder, no matter the surface. He faces another grinder in Carreno Busta next round.
Daniil Medvedev d Tommy Paul 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-3
Medvedev continued his fine serving, winning 80% of his serves and directing the ball side to side, controlling the American. The American did not look to have the footwork that great clay-courters have, and the Russian made sure there was no coming back, winning the final three sets in style.
