On paper, the challenge seemed difficult to overcome, but the two French players engaged today met it with professionalism and determination. Even though the first qualifier, Gianni Mina, benefited from the withdrawal of the fifth seed Bernard Tomic, he managed to hold his opponent, who was weakened by a virus, long enough to win a set 6-2 until the Australian threw in the towel.
A bit later in the day, it was Lucas Pouille’s turn to reach the round of 16 by easily defeating the American Tim Smyczek; very solid, the young Frenchman played powerful and precise tennis, which he will need to replicate tomorrow against his next opponent, the Argentine Leonardo Mayer, the fourth seed and a specialist on this surface.
The other results of the day have been reassuring regarding the form of the seeded players.
Earlier in the day, the young Australian star Nick Kyrgios easily got past Mikhail Kukushkin. Between technique and flair, it was flair that prevailed. This Tuesday, Nick Kyrgios once again showcased his talent to defeat the Kazakh 7/6 – 6/2.
Later in the afternoon, the American giant John Isner, the second seed, won against his compatriot Steve Johnson.
In a somewhat disjointed match, the giant admitted that it was all the more difficult because his opponent was a ‘true buddy.’ John Isner will face either the winner of Carreno Busta and Lajovic in the next round.
Finally, the rain was no match for the Argentine Juan Monaco, who was very convincing against the American Sam Querrey. Thus, one must be wary of the eighth seed, who is very comfortable on this surface and is a title contender if he maintains this level of performance.
