We’re halfway through round 4 now and some established names are present and correct but so too the obligatory handful of surprise packages.
None more so than Britain’s Kyle Edmund who was blistering at times in his sets win over Andreas Seppi – not an easy match at all. The Italian snuck in the first set on a breaker but after that it was essentially one-way traffic.
Rafa Nadal and Marin Cilic also needed four sets each to prevail past Schwarzman and Carreno-Busta respectively. The top seed especially faced an inspired opponent who played some lovely stuff but ultimately fell short.
The showcase match of the day saw a much-improved Nick Kyrgios face off with the equally rejuvenated Dimitrov. The match did not disappoint and delivered in its spectacle, although the result was never in doubt once the first set had played out. The 3rd seed was playing far too good, too good for the Aussie’s current skill level to challenge. Still, it was an entertaining affair and Kyrgios has much to look forward to if he can keep this mental focus and discipline.
Carla Suarez-Navarro‘s excellent scrap with Kontaveit aside, it was plain sailing for the women today as Wozniacki blew past Rybarikova and surprise package Elise Mertens squeaked past Petra Martic.
A special mention now for Elena Svitolina; the bookies favourite and perhaps rightly so. Halep is winning hearts and Wozniacki’s previous pedigree is shifting a lot of focus her way, but Svitolina has the weapons and – by the manner in which she has dismissed her opponents this week – the confidence to quietly shock the field. You aren’t ranked the fourth seed for nothing and i for one am guilty of not mentioning her enough before now.
All Things Tennis 