Jessica Pegula Gets Easy Victory Over Mertens

 [7] Jessica Pegula dispatched a potentially dangerous opponent, Elise Mertens. Mertens just could not elevate her game when she needed to; thus, Pegula won 6-4, 6-2. Time is running out for the American, who has been a consistent member of the top ten. She has gotten to the final of a major, now she just has to take the next step. The question everyone is asking: “Will she take that step before she retires?”

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[3] Coco Gauff was pushed a bit in the second set, but she prevailed in the end, denying Jodie Burrage the upset. Gauff won 6-3, 7-5. [12] Tommy Paul was tested in the first set, but he figured out how to defeat Kei Nishikori 6-7(3), 6-0, 6-3, 6-1. I am always a bit surprised that Paul has not won a big title. The guy is so talented!

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Qinwen Zheng Did Not Bring Her Best Game

[5] Qinwen Zheng was surprised by the heady play of Laura Siegemund. Siegemund won 7-6(3), 6-3. [6] Casper Ruud got a rude awakening by the Czech teenager, Jakub Mensik. Mensik defeated Ruud 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Looks like Naomi Osaka means business. She defeated [20] Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3. [25] Liudmila Samsonova lost easily to Olga Danilovic, 1-6, 2-6. This was a bit surprising, to see Samsonova unable to solve the riddle of Danilovic. [27] Jordan Thompson lost in straight sets to Nuno Borges, 3-6, 2-6, 4-6.

Sebastian Korda Loses In Round Two

American [22] Sebastian Korda just could keep it together to claim the victory. I knew this would be a difficult match for him. Aleksandar Vukic is a dangerous player. He proved so again today with the 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory. I have always maintained it is not smart to play a tournament before a major. It is too taxing not only physically, but emotionally and mentally. It leaves you empty when you need to dig deep. [29] Felix Auger-Aliassime also found that out in his match today against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. In a match that was constantly being interrupted, the Spaniard came back to win after dropping the first two sets. It was a very erratic match, where the momentum was constantly shifting. Kudos to Davidovich Fokina for finally settling down into a consistent rhythm.

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