Djokovic came back from 0-2 down versus countryman Djere, winning 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3. The usual box of tricks was opened – the inevitable and timely bathroom break.
Djere was always a good bet to push Djokovic, as he did back in Belgrade in Spring. Beating his hero, however, was an altogether different task, and not on the table.
In the next round Djokovic faces Gojo, who beat Vesely. The Czech would have made an interesting match. Gojo, not so much.
Stricker beat Bonzi in five and was elated, backing up his upset over Tsitsipas. The match was the best of the day. Two low ranked players fresh from beating seeds and fighting for a place in the fourth round of a slam. He faces Taylor Fritz next. The American took no prisoners versus Mensik, dropping just three games.
Tiafoe got past Mannarino in four. Impressive stuff considering the expectations on him at home. Next up is Hijikata who beat Zhang in four. The Chinese Ruud slayer is still a little raw but in a year or so, he’ll be top ten.
Paul won a strange match versus Davidovich Fokina. The steady American needed to be just that – steady, and nothing more, for the first two sets which he won 1 and 0. The Spaniard was splaying errors all over Ash, thanks to his very powerful frame and at times empty head. Fokina took a little break then came back for the third ready to play, and blasted Paul off the court with his shot-making and explosive power. Paul steadied the ship in four, accustomed to how the match had changed, and he let Davodovich Fokina die by his own racket.
Paul faces Shelton who beat Karatsev in four. This match intrigues me. Paul is my kind of player – solid and dependable with a clean game. Shelton is a raw talent, and inexperienced. Can Paul take advantage of or will the talent of his younger countryman be too much to handle? This storyline will be played out in front of a home crowd on labor day weekend on Ashe. Pretty good prospect for a fun match if you ask me.
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