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NO SPOILERS 🎥

If you don't want to see the results yet, and want to catch up with the highlights, stop scrolling now! (If any of these links have been taken down, press the ‘View in Browser’ button at the top of the email for updated ones) Links:

Struff 🎥 Federer

Thiem 🎥 Querrey

A.Zverev 🎥 Popyrin

Khachanov 🎥 Nishikori

Tsitsipas 🎥 Gojowczyk

Edmund 🎥 Verdasco

Medvedev 🎥 Seppi

RESULTS 🎾

💥 = Beatdown \\ 🤕 = Injury \\ ‼️ = Upset

Featured Matches:

Federer d Struff: 6-3, 7-5

📊 Keys to the match 📊:

Set 1: Federer started shakily, landing a low number of first serves in during his first two service games (just 3). Broken with a wild forehand error, Federer then started playing some much better tennis, winning a remarkable 12/13 points between the 5th and the 9th game, which included two back-to-back breaks of the Struff serve to close out the set.

Set 1: Struff looked comfortable on first serve, winning 8/11 points, but was only landing 50% of his 1st serves in, which considering the fact that he was winning just 3/11 of his 2nd serve points, was bad news for the German. Federer on the other hand defended his 2nd serve much more comfortably, winning 62% or 8/13.

Set 1: Bit of a scrappy first set, especially at the start. Struff hit 5 winners to 10 unforced errors, Federer 7 winners to 11 errors.

Set 2: Both players much more secure on serve until 5-5, knocking off the majority of their service games in little more than a minute. Struff landed a much better 70% of his first serves in, winning a commanding 20/26 of those points. Federer was even better, winning 94% of his 1st serve points (even if he only landed 52% of them in).

Set 2: A shocker of a game from Struff while serving at 5-5, double faulting on break point, handed the break to Federer. Fed then breezed through his own service game to wrap up the match in routine fashion.

Overall a much better performance from Federer compared to his 1st Rd match vs Krajinovic. Footwork was better, forehand was better, and his first serve in % was also marginally better (but still not ideal @ 53%). After being broken early in the 1st set, the Swiss never looked in any danger on serve (facing no further break points), which is the more familiar sight when watching Federer play indoors. Struff played well until 5-5 in the 2nd set, but crumbled when it mattered.

🎾

A. Zverev d Popyrin: 6-4, 6-4

📊 Keys to the match 📊:

Set 1: Pretty close set with just one break point making the difference (in Zverev’s favour). Popyrin impressed with some nice variation and good post-serve aggression. The young Aussie looked solid on 1st serve, landing 53% in and winning 80% of those points. Zverev also looked solid, landing 57% 1st serves in and winning 92% of those points.

Set 1: The difference came in their second serve performance, with Popyrin winning 5/9 points and Zverev winning 8/10. A small difference but enough to allow Zverev the more clear-cut chances on his opponents serve at a crucial time (Zverev breaking for a 5*-4 lead). Popyrin hit two 2nd serves at 4-4, losing both points, putting him in a 15-40 hole. Zverev also returned the other two, 1st serve deliveries, in that game excellently.

Set 2: Brilliant performance from Zverev who looked impenetrable apart from a slight mental holiday at the end of the match (getting to 30-30 on his serve with a few errors ). The German dominated, winning 92% of his 1st serve points, 70% on his second, and never facing a break point. Popyrin suddenly looked out of his depth, facing 5 break points and getting outclassed from the baseline.

Good signs from Zverev, especially on his exceptional backhand wing and serve. Another step in the right direction for the very young career of Alexei Popyrin.

🎾

Also:

Basel🇨🇭:

Tsitsipas d Gojowczyk: 6-3, 6-1

Tough to read that much into this match given how poorly Gojowczyk was playing. Gojowczyk landed just 37% of his first serves in and only won 12/32 points on his second serve. Part of the latter was due to Tsitsipas’s excellent, aggressive returning. But Gojowczyk’s inability to play anywhere near his usual level of tennis should shoulder more of the blame. Some flashes of brilliance from Tsitsipas, including some fantastic forehand return aces, appeared when his opponent wasn’t self-destructing. And the young Greek also saved the two break points he faced (both in the 2nd set) in impressive fashion. Medvevev next.

Medvedev d Seppi: 7-6(5), 6-2

Medvedev’s momentum is very impressive at the moment. The young Russian is winning matches against tough opponents, without finding his best tennis. Medvedev’s serve was pretty ropey today, landing just 49% of his 1st serves in. But his big point play was excellent, saving 5/6 break points and never looking unsure of himself. His recent run of good form has definitely buoyed his mental strength and belief relative to earlier in the year. Medvedev meets Tsitsipas, who he has a stellar record against, next.

Bautista Agut d Lajovic : 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-3

Simon d Gulbis: 7-6(4), 7-6(0)

Very fun match. Gulbi’s forehand let him down on numerous occasions, especially while up 4-2 in the 1st set tiebreaker. Simon only managed to convert 1/13 break points (!) but to the Frenchman’s credit, Gulbis played the big points so well for the most part. The more stable player won.

Vienna🇦🇹:

Nishikori d Khachanov: 6-2, 6-2 💥

A returning masterclass from Nishikori who won a staggering 69% of 2nd serve return points. Khachanov looked a little jaded after his title run last week, but this was always going to be a bad matchup for him.

Kukushkin d Rublev : 7-6(4), 6-4

Thiem d Querrey: 6-4, 6-4

Very solid performance from Thiem. The Austrian served fantastically in the 1st set winning 92% of his 1st serve points and 69% of his 2nd. Some of this was due to Querrey’s complete inability to put any serve back in play on his backhand side, but Thiem was clever with his placement and variation. Thanks to his superior return game, Thiem was the one making break chances, converting the only break point of the set for a 3-1 lead and never looking back. The 2nd set featured Thiem coming up clutch to save 3/3 break points, all coming in a crucial, marathon game at 4-2. Once again, an early break for a 3-1 lead was all Thiem needed to close out the match. These slow Vienna courts suit Thiem.

Monfils d Isner: 6-4, 6-4

Impressive focus from Monfils against an Isner who just doesn’t look 100% physically at the moment. Monfils, aided by the slow Vienna court, managed to stand far back and get so many Isner serves back in play, with Isner winning just 68% of his 1st serve points and 47% on 2nd serve (his 12 month avg is 81% and 56% respectively). Still a bit confused why Isner chose to play Vienna (slow, dead bounce) over Basel (fast-ish). The conditions did not suit the American at all.

Verdasco d Edmund: 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

Towards the end of this match Edmund looked a little like he had finally run out of steam after his title run last week. Fighting constant pressure on his serve in all three sets (facing 12 break points vs Verdasco’s 7). The Brit fought admirably, saving 9 of those BP’s, but couldn’t fight off a very solid Verdasco in the deciding set, after the Spaniard looked by far the more secure player on 2nd serve (Verdasco at 78% 2nd serve points won in 3rd set vs Edmunds 44%). A very narrow forehand miss to get broken in the 3rd set was too much for the Brit to come back from.

SHOTS OF THE DAY 😮

— Such an interesting point for Federer to get the break back in the 1st set. Firstly, Struff’s first volley was excellent, tough to play a better one under the circumstances. But Federer does a great job of scrambling a nice backhand down the line. Secondly, Federer’s decision to go straight at Struff with the penultimate shot is so wiley and clever. He knows that a shot straight down the middle is high margin (over the lowest part of the net), and going into Struff’s body makes it hard for the tall German to produce an angle with his own volley ( in the end he got cramped up trying to play the ball straight back at Federer).

— Brilliant backhand from Federer. Takes the ball so early and just leans on it, wrong-footing Struff.

— After a shaky start, Federer’s footwork was so much better than it was in his 1st round match. Looked so much more lively.

— Zverev came up with some huge groundstrokes at 4-4 with Popyrin serving. Such a pure backhand.

— Another one.

— Tsitsipas (vs Gojowczyk) absolutely unleashing on a backhand down the line.

— Wonderful forehand pass on the full-stretch from Edmund (vs Verdasco).

— Simon (vs Gulbis) with a fantastic forehand slice.

— Simon with some amazing improvisation off a net cord.

— Every now and then Gulbis’s ‘Spastic Eagle🦅’ preparation on his forehand doesn’t result in a shank or a ball half way up the net. This is one of those times. Glorious.

— Such great touch from Thiem (vs Querrey) here. Not an easy shot.

— Gulbis with a crucial hold in the 2nd set (vs Simon).

INTERVIEW/PRESS BEST BITS 🎤

Thiem after beating Querrey:

“This was one of my best matches in Vienna. But that’s not too hard to achieve (lol). Kei is back in top form, it will be hard to beat him.” Source

Federer post-win: (Full Interview 🎥)

“Don‘t know why I can‘t play a match without being broken anymore, happened to me in Shanghai already, have to go through statistics of this match, maybe I‘ll manage next match without being broken :) .” Source

Tsitsipas post win:

“I think I should come to the net more, and serve and volley more. Try some more surprising things, aggressive things.” Source

OOP: QUARTER-FINALS (FRIDAY) ⏰

Match to watch: 🔥

—

Basel - Centre Court

(3pm local🇨🇭, 2pm UK🇬🇧, 8am CT🇺🇸)

🇺🇸 Fritz vs Copil 🇷🇴 (1st Meeting) 🔥

Prediction: Copil in 3

🇩🇪 A. Zverev vs Bautista Agut 🇪🇸 (H2H: 3-2) (Hard Court H2H: 1-1) 🔥

Prediction: A.Zverev in 2

🇨🇭 Federer vs Simon 🇫🇷 (H2H: 6-2) (Hard Court H2H: 3-2) 🔥

Prediction: Federer in 3

🇬🇷 Tsitsipas vs Medvedev 🇷🇺 (H2H: 0-2) (Hard Court H2H: 0-2) 🔥🌶

Prediction: Medvedev in 3

Vienna - Centre Court

(1pm local🇨🇭, 12pm UK🇬🇧, 6am CT🇺🇸)

🇰🇿 Kukushkin vs Fucsovics 🇭🇺 (1st Meeting)

Prediction: Kukushkin in 3

🇦🇹 Thiem vs Nishikori 🇯🇵 (H2H: 1-2) (1st Meeting on Hard Courts)

Prediction: Nishikori in 3

🇿🇦 Anderson vs Coric 🇭🇷 (H2H: 3-1) (Hard Court H2H: 3-1)

Prediction: Anderson in 3

🇪🇸 Verdasco vs Monfils 🇫🇷 (H2H: 2-3) (Hard Court H2H: 2-2)

Prediction: Monfils in 3

EXTRAS 🔍📊🎤

— Albert Costa is the new tournament director for the Davis Cup. Source

— Would be quite surprising if he doesn’t equal his worst year’s (2013) total: 7, this year.

— After beating Struff today, Federer has now won 17 consecutive matches in Basel.

— Rafa is back practicing. Source— And according to his PR manager (Benito), he’s coming to Paris.

— Alexei Popyrin, who lost to A.Zverev today, has had quite the breakthrough year.

— Djokovic has been trying to emulate pro skier Andri Ragettli’s balance workout. Looks like a very athletic Gollum. Full video🎥.

🇬🇧Race to London Update:

After beating Khachanov today, and after Isner lost to Monfils, Nishikori will overtake Isner (No.9) in the race to London if he beats Thiem tomorrow.

LOL 😂

stanwawrinka85

— “Enjoying lunch while thinking about my season.... oh sh#t!”

— Popyrin sending the fuzzy yellow ball back to its home planet.

— 🦅🦅🦅

— Rublev with some weirdly polite racquet smashing. Made sure, both times, that it was a flat smash and didn’t damage the frame. Kept playing with it.

— Monfils styling for the ballgirl.

— Lord Gulbis having absolutely none of that racquet’s shenanigans. Temper tantrum Gulbis is the best Gulbis.

— Gulbis then started having a ‘discussion’ with a heckler in the crowd.

— Heckler’s response…

Gulbis seething. Just another day.

GAME, SET, MATCH 👋

— The Racquet is created, and written, by Matt.

— You can find me on Twitter here.

See you tomorrow for Basel & Vienna Quarter Finals!