At the end of day four, there are only seven Americans remaining in the singles draw. We are guaranteed at least one American in the third round though. [35] Sofia Kenin (USA) got a lucky break when [22] Bianca Andreescu (CAN) was unfortunately forced to withdraw from the tournament due to injury.
SIGNIFICANT UPSETS
[4] Kiki Bertens (NED), currently the best female player on clay and thought to have a high probability of winning the title, had to retire in her second-round match against [46] Viktoria Kuzmova (SVK). Bertens was one of three players left in the draw who could have taken over the number one ranking; unfortunately, she had to retire in her match down 1-3 (ret) because of gastrointestinal illness.
[11] Marin Cilic (CRO) lost in a five-set battle against [46] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL). Cilic had a two sets-to-one lead before Dimitrov came back to win 6-7(3), 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-3.
The best player on clay this season, [19] Guido Pella (ARG), was surprised by the twenty-year old [110] Corentin Moutet (FRA). Sometimes coming back from a two-set deficit is too physically and mentally demanding and Pella lost 3-6, 1-6, 6-2, 5-7.
[21] Alex de Minaur (AUS) lost rather easily (3-6, 1-6, 1-6) to the recovering [57] Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP).
[29] Matteo Berrettini (ITA) lost 4-6, 5-7, 3-6 to [63] Casper Ruud (NOR).
SPECIAL MENTION
[38] Benoit Paire (FRA) and fellow-countryman, [43] Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA), put on what must be the match of the tournament to date. Paire took the first two sets easily, before Herbert mounted a comeback and took the next two sets. Herbert took the lead a few times in the fifth set, but just could not hold on to the lead. While it was an entertaining match for the crowd, it was also a heartbreaking loss for Herbert. Paire won 6-2, 6-2, 5-7, 6-7(6), 11-9. How will Paire feel in the next round when he faces off against a much fresher Carreno Busta?
SOURCES OF IMAGES: Zimbio.com (Getty Images Europe)
