Fabio Fognini (26) d Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6(4) 6-2 6-4
Fognini makes himself the 2nd Italian to go through to the 2nd round. Not many have been successful, but the Italian has reached the 3rd round on multiple occasions here at Wimbledon, so has enough experience compared to the Spaniard whos home court is definitely the clay. Fognini was quoted last Wimbledon saying "I wish a bomb would explode on this club". He has performed well here yet is clearly not his favourite place to play, with many of the mans sure to remember what he said.
Diego Schwartzman (9) d Benoit Paire 6-3 6-4 6-0
The 9th seed did not have too much of an issue dismissing the Frenchman in straight sets. A rain delay after 2 sets did not stop the Argentine momentum, as Paire flailed like he usually does, losing the third set pathetically.
Lloyd Harris d Ricardas Berankis 6-3 6-4 7-6(6)
The 24yo has made a name for himself this year, rising from 90 to 51, and sure to be top 50 by the end of the year. Harris was up 2 sets to 0 before the rain delay. Harris went on to win the 3rd set in a tight tiebreaker, entering good form for the second round against Andrey Rublev.
Soon-Woo Kwon d Daniel Masur 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4 6-4
Kwon had a challenge in Masur, with a tight first set. With Men's tennis it seems everyone has the weapons, and one of the best ways to rise the ranks is with mentality. Kwon's rise has predominantly been his mentality to stay calm and consistent, which he did in a nice little comeback.
Pablo Andujar d Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-6(7) 4-6 7-6(7) 5-7 8-6
In a match lasting over 5hours, 62 games and 450 points, the 35yo gets another 5 set victory! Andujar was far from being the favourite in the match, but kept Herbert on his toes on what was an insanely close match. In matches so close, it is typically the one who has the experience on their resume.
Dusan Lajovic d Gilles Simon 6-4 7-5 3-6 4-6 6-3
Lajovic just seemed to want it more, and despite a fight, Lajovic had the fitness to go that extra mile. Simon is 36yo and did struggle physically in the 5th set where as the Serb looked good, being clinical and consistent in his 5 set win.
Denis Shapovalov (10) d Phillip Kohlschreiber 6-4 4-6 6-3 5-7 6-4
In a topsy turvy match, it was the 22yo with the stamina to hold off the German. Kohlschreiber is a veteran, but it just was not enough in Grand Slam match, with Kohlschreiber actually having more break points, but not converting. Shapovalov has struggled with consistency, so it will be interesting how he goes against Andujar.
Dan Evans (22) d Feliciano Lopez 7-6(4) 6-2 7-5
Evans was very clinical, and looked as spirited as ever to grab the win. Lopez has class, but it was Evans with the crowd at his feet to win those crucial points in the tiebreak and close games. Evans looks excited to get into Wimbledon, and has made it to the 3rd Round on his last two Wimbledon appearances. Evans winning 89% of his first serves; huge for him as he does not rely on his serve usually, only being 175cm.
Richard Gasquet d Yuichi Sugita 7-6(4) 4-6 6-2 6-1
Gasquet continues to sail through the Grand Slams, sweeping Sugita up in 4 sets. Sugita is reaching the tailend of his career too being 32, only 3 years junior of Gasquet. The Frenchman faces Roger Federer, who could be a bit drained from the 4 set encounter against fellow Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.
Tennys Sandgren d Norbert Gombos 6-4 6-7(5) 6-1 6-3
Sandgren loves the quicker surfaces, performing at 70% in 2019 on grass, and on to a good start in 2021. Gombos is more of a clay player, and although Sandgren can be a bit affected mentality at times, he did well to only lose a set in close quarters, and winning the match well over the predicted handicap.
Alexander Zverev (4) d Tallon Griekspoor 6-3 6-4 6-1
The German can always be a bit inconsistent, especially to 'nobodys'. Zverev can sometimes check-out, then bring himself back after he is down a set, but Zverev quickly broke in Griekspoor's first service game, and was off to the races. Griekspoor could not answer as Zverev looked very comfortable throughout the encounter, keeping his outbursts to the minimum.
Laslo Djere d Pablo Cuevas 5-7 6-4 6-4 6-4
Cuevas started well, but his age caught up to him. Cuevas was on the defensive quickly, but luckily Djere was inconsistent and Cuevas got away with it. It is much easier to get away with defensive in best of 3 sets, but when it comes to Grand Slams, usually opponents find their groove after a set, which is exactly what happened. Cuevas' slice and one hand backhand were not proving good, let alone his positioning was well behind the baseline, leading to more running. Exactly not what a 35yo needs to do.
Marc Polmans d Yen-hsun Lu 6-2 7-5 4-6 6-1
The Aussie was looking good in qualifiers, and Lu is using his PR (Protected Ranking) to enter big tournaments. It was clear Polmans was doing better and in better form than Lu, not winning a grass match from 2016. Polmans is trustworthy & consistent, and has that Aussie spirit to carry him through.
Roger Federer (6) d Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-7(3) 3-6 6-2 (WALKOVER)
When people first saw walkover, minds rushed to FEDERER INJURY! Federer survived well and, who knows what could have happened if Mannarino did not get injured. Federer did what he needed to do, but not without a challenge. His next opponent is Gasquet, who are honestly not too far from the same level. Federer used to be at a God level, but not so sure now as he has had no major wins. His best win since his comeback has been Marin CIlic in 3 sets.
Hubert Hurkacz (14) d Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 7-6(5) 6-1
Hurkacz has been under scrutiny ever since he won at Miami almost 3 months ago. He has been inconsistent despite his ability. Musetti is a 19yo with a name made in 2021, and doubts were being made against Musetti despite the Italian actually never playing a professional grass court match. Hurkacz delivered, staying relatively consistent, and Musetti did reasonably well in the first two sets. Hurkacz winning 86% of first serve, and doing well, but not always does well on grass despite making 3rd round of Wimbledon in 2019.
Alex Bolt d Filip Krajinovic 7-6(5) 6-4 7-5
Bolt was looking hot, recently winning Nottingham challenger last week. Krajinovic had not won a grass match since 2015, and Bolt was looking too good! His fierce left forehand was screaming today, wrong-footing the big Serb.
Daniil Medvedev (2) d Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 6-1 4-6 7-6(3)
These two played two weeks ago with Struff defeating the Russian in straight sets, but when it comes to Grand Slams, the seeds usually come out on top as the more experienced when it comes to these situations. Medvedev can get frustrated at times, and can cost him matches, but they are in smaller events with best of 3 set format. With best of 5 sets, the world no 2 can refocus, and realign his mentality to win.
