First up today we had a mismatch of ages in 19 year old Jakub Mensik versus 37 year old Roberto Bautista Agut. Agut came through a three set thriller in the first round where he came from behind and saved match point in the second set to go on to win it. The first two sets in this one were close match ups, with the first going the way of the 19 year old, 6-3. In the second set, Agut showed that same fighting spirit he’d shown in the first round, and won it 6-3 to level up the match. In the final set, Agut got himself a break up and serving for the match, but Mensik threw himself a lifeline with a return break of serve. Following that, Agut stepped it up and got himself another break, and this time made no mistake when serving for the match. He once again got the job done in three sets with a final score of 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
The second match of the day was British number 1 Jack Draper against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin. The first set went Popyrin’s way in a clinical performance which saw him take his chance and convert his one break point. In the second set, a double fault from Draper caused a roar in frustration from the Brit which seemed to gee up the crowd. This pushed Draper on and he finally broke his opponent’s serve. When serving to stay in the set, Popyrin showed some nerves and conceded another break, meaning Draper won the set 6-2. The third set was a thrilling close battle which, after two match points were saved by Popyrin, culminated in a tie break. Draper sealed victory 3-6, 6-2, 7-6, after winning the tie break 7-5.
Up third, we had another Brit as Dan Evans took on Brandon Nakashima. One break point was all Nakashima needed in the first set, it came at the perfect time with Evans serving to stay in it and Nakashima clinched it 7-5. Nakashima then got himself ahead with a break of serve in the second set to go 3-1, but Evans replied straight away, getting the break back. It went to a tiebreaker, which the American won 7-4, to win the match 7-5, 7-6.
Last Up, Holger Rune versus Mackenzie McDonald as we went late into the evening here on Centre Court. McDonald got himself an early break in the first set and took a 3-1 lead. He doubled up with another break of serve to win the first set 6-2. Looking to shift the momentum in the second set, Rune made a strong impression with an early break of serve to love, putting himself 2-0 up. We can’t go without mentioning probably the best point all tournament at 15-15 on McDonald’s serve, where some outrageous court coverage from Rune and a successful ‘tweener’ won him the point to go 30-15. Having raised his level in this set, he then went on to get the double break and hold serve to win it 6-1. We went to yet another deciding set on Centre Court. Once again, Rune broke early, now fully in his stride. Rune then proved far too much for his opponent and powered through to complete the comeback and win the match 2-6, 6-1, 6-1.
CLICK HERE FOR TOMORROW'S ORDER OF PLAY