[4] Coco Gauff defeated Mayar Sherif. Gauff won 6-3, 6-2 but was broken four times in the match. While we expect that on clay, it is still concerning for the American. The serve continues to be her Achilles heel and that may be what derails her from defending her Roland Garros title. Thus, Gauff has a lot of pressure on her shoulders.

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Coco Gauff’s Next Opponent

Newly minted Austrian [28] Anastasia Potapova will have the task of derailing Gauff. Their current head-to-head is tied 2:2. Interestingly, Potapova won their only clay court encounter; however, that was a few years ago. Nevertheless, it is a concern because one player has grown in confidence, while the other is standing on shaky ground. This match could be a disaster for the American. Still, we know Gauff will not go down without a fight.

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Anisimova Amongst American Day 5 Winners

[6] Amanda Anisimova had an easy day at the office. After winning the first set 6-0, her opponent, Julia Grabher, retired due to physical issues. However, there was no obvious injury, so perhaps she was feeling the effects of the heat. [17] Iva Jovic defeated fellow American, Emma Navarro. Just when you thought Navarro was getting her game back, she suffered this bad loss. Jovic won 6-0, 6-3. [19] Madison Keys defeated Antonia Ruzic 6-4, 6-4.

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[18] Learner Tien had a grueling five set match against Facundo Diaz Acosta. Tien could have been on his way home, but somehow, he managed to find a way to win the fourth set and win the match 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3. A little dangerous given the conditions at this year’s Roland Garros. [19] Frances Tiafoe had his hands full with his former top ten opponent, Hubert Hurkacz. Somehow, Tiafoe dug deep enough to win 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-7(1), 6-4. It was a battle to the end, which almost went to five hours. Hopefully Tiafoe can recover in time for his next opponent, Jaime Faria.

[31] Brandon Nakashima also had a battle on his hands against the Frenchman, Luca Van Assche. Nakashima won 6-7(5), 6-4, 5-7, 6-1, 6-3. His match went a little over four and a half hours. Next up for him will be [4] Felix Auger Aliassime. Zachary Svajda is still in the draw. He defeated Adam Walton 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2.

Ben Shelton Joins The Seeded Losers

[1] Jannik Sinner lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 1-6, 1-6. See my full post on that lost. [5] Ben Shelton lost to Raphael Collignon. My observation, Shelton tried to serve his way out of trouble instead of playing his way out of trouble. When you rely too heavily on your serve, and then not deliver, it throws you off your game. He did not come with a backup plan either! Collignon never gave the American an opportunity to break his serve and won 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.

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[14] Luciano Darderi could not overcome the challenge of Francisco Comesana. It went the distance and Comesana won 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. [16] Valentin Vacherot withdrew before his match against Alejandro Tabilo due to a longstanding left foot injury. [22] Arthur Rinderknech lost to former top ten, Matteo Berrettini. The Italian currently ranked one hundred and five won 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. [23] Elise Mertens lost 4-6, 0-6 to Maja Chwalinska. Diane Parry had homecourt advantage, and she used it to defeat American [30] Ann Li 6-3, 6-4.

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