[14] Tommy Paul was a semifinalist in 2023, which is the farthest he has ever gone at a major. Paul turned professional in 2015 and has only one singles title to his name, despite being a talented player. Why? He got past Gregoire Barrere comfortably, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3. The question though is can he stay out of his way in the next round against the dangerous Jack Draper?

Tommy Paul Must Overcome His Mindset

Unfortunately for Paul, he recently lost to Draper in Adelaide 1-6, 4-6. He has lost their two previous encounters in straight sets; thus, unless he changes his mindset, and adjust his attitude, he will not get past the second round. Paul must believe despite the two previous losses, and play from a state of abundance, rather than lack. Do you think Tommy Paul will defeat Jack Draper? Leave a comment with your opinion.

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Successful Debut for Emma Navarro

[5] Jessica Pegula did not drag out her match out; she got it done in straight sets. Pegula defeated Rebecca Marino 6-2, 6-4. [27] Emma Navarro is still riding high on confidence after claiming her first WTA singles title less than a week ago. Navarro defeated Xiyu Wang 6-1, 6-7(5), 7-5. It is nice to see Sloane Stephens win a match. Olivia Gadecki was not much opposition, Stephens won in under an hour 6-3, 6-1. Danielle Collins got by Angelique Kerber 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. This is a good win for Alex Michelsen. The teenager dispatched the Australian wild card, James McCabe, 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.

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Kenin Amongst Americans Who Lost

Sofia Kenin served for the first set at 5-4 against [1] Iga Swiatek. From the score you can see she folded. The number one ranked player won 7-6(2), 6-2. Mackenzie McDonald squandered his lead and lost to the wild card, Juncheng Shang, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 2-6. Peyton Stearns, Ashlyn Krueger, Shelby Rogers and Marcos Giron are the other Americans who lost their first round matches. The frustrating thing is having a lead and then watching it slip away. I propose fatigue as the culprit for those losses. That fatigue can be physical, which is always the obvious cause; however, the not so obvious may be spiritual, emotional, or mental fatigue. Unfortunately, physical fatigue can be the cause or the result of emotional, mental, or spiritual fatigue. It is hard to fight when spiritually or mentally there is doubt.

Two Seeds Lost On Day Three

[29] Lin Zhu lost to Oceane Dodin 4-6, 3-6.  [31] Alexander Bublik lost to the qualifier, Sumit Nagal, 4-6, 2-6, 6-7(5).

Special Mention: Clara Tauson

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After such a brilliant start, it has been rocky the last few years for the Danish player. It seems every other moth she has a new injury. If she can get and stay healthy, she has the game and the drive to go far. However, that becomes irrelevant if she has a body prone to injury. She is still only twenty-one; thus, there is time to display her talent. Tauson got to a career high of thirty-three in 2022 and has two singles titles to her name. She just got to get physically healthy. Do not forget that she won the Australian Junior title in 2019, so she knows the surface and the conditions. She defeated a tricky veteran, Greet Minnen, 7-5, 7-5., which should boost her confidence. However, Tauson will have to bring it in the next round against the dangerous [18] Victoria Azarenka. Azarenka has won this tournament twice and she got to the semifinals last year; therefore, expect a battle.

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