[3] Felix Auger-Aliassime came out on fire. He went up an early break only to lose it. Despite winning the first set tiebreaker, the Canadian just seemed a tad off. Something happened. Was it physical or mental? Karen Khachanov played really well, and he kept the pressure on. In the end, the Russian won 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Embed from Getty ImagesGauff Amongst American Day Five Winners
[4] Coco Gauff knew it would be a battle against Paula Badosa. After all, the Spaniard had a winning record (5:3) against her. It looked like it was going to be smooth sailing for Gauff after she won the first set and went up a break in the second. However, Badosa was not ready to leave the court and she broke back. Gauff broke again and served for the match. Again, Badosa dug deep and came up with some brilliant tennis to force a tiebreaker. Gauff upped her game and won 6-4, 7-6(5).
Embed from Getty Images[9] Taylor Fritz dismantled Mattia Bellucci 6-0, 6-1, 6-1. [10] Amanda Anisimova looked like she had the match in control and then she lost the second set. Yet credit to Lilli Tagger, who elevated her game in the second to force a third set. Typical of Anisimova, she regrouped nicely to win the set and the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Anisimova admitted that she “got a little crazy in the second set.” Let’s hope she continues to combine those two sides to give us some brilliant tennis all the way to the final.
Embed from Getty Images[14] Iva Jovic defeated Francesca Jones 6-4, 6-4. [14] Learner Tien did it again, he got the better of Gael Monfils for the second time this year. He defeated the retiring Frenchman 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. [22] Madison Keys saved five match points. Why was she in that situation to begin with? Anna Bondar played really well. Keys was constantly behind. Yet, after dropping the first set, she dug deep to win 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5). Kudos again to the wildcard, Michael Zheng. Ranked one hundred and seven, he is taking full advantage of this opportunity to play in a major. He defeated the lucky loser, who defeated Rafael Jodar in round one, Yunchaokete Bu. Zheng won 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Giving Doubles Some Love
Ashlyn Krueger teamed up with fellow American, Robin Montgomery, to defeat Linda Noskova and Rebecca Sramkova 7-5, 6-4. The number one doubles team of Katerina Siniakova and American Taylor Townsend defeated the American duo of Reese Brantmeier and Savannah Broadus 6-2, 6-4.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlex de Minaur Amongst Fallen Seeds
[6] Alex de Minaur lost to Botic van de Zandschulp. Why was this so shocking? The Australian had a 4:0 H2H against van de Zandschulp. Yet, as I have said repeatedly, the major brings out the best in some players and he won 6-4, 7-5, 6-2. [13] Lorenzo Musetti continues to underperform. For a guy with so much talent it was disappointing to watch this match. What many players fail to realize is that opportunities must be capitalized on for later when you want them, you will often not get them. The wildcard, Dane Sweeny, won 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. [30] Ignacio Buse ran into the veteran, Benjamin Bonzi. Bonzi won 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-0. [32] Maria Sakkari lost a tough three setter, after winning the first set 6-1. Yuliia Starodubtseva would not quit and in the end wore down Sakkari to win 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.
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