Ram/Krajicek def. Alcaraz/Nadal (ESP): 6-2 6-4

6-2 for the Americans in the 1st set. They were taking the net, getting both up whenever possible, and shortening the points. The magic number was 5. Serve, return, 1st volley, next ball, volley. After that it was Spaniards but if they kept it under 5 total shots they were winning the points. The both are so solid and smart doubles players, unbelievable hands at the net. It’s impossible to hit through them so it was up to the Spaniards to come up with something all the time. The spin from Nadal’s forehand wasn’t even affecting them. One time Alcaraz tried to rip a ball at Raj thinking no way old man can handle my pace. Raj just sticks the volley back, and Fia wasn’t ready for it, shanking the next ball. Raj rips a come on! And a nice, respectful, stare down at the net. 

The Spanish goats started out the second set with much more energy. Easier holds, being more verbal, more movement, just more energy. But once it was 3-3 and that hadn’t got them any looks still, it was Raj and Kraj who seized opportunity. They broke at love on a call super close to the line. Rafa and Fia tried to argue it for a while, stating their case, but we’ll never know because they never showed us the ball mark. The American duo have their service games and only faced one break point all match against two unbelievable returners… Until 5-4 when the American’s went to serve it out. 15-40, 2 BP and Rafa had a great look at the return winner cross. But it just spun wide. Alcaraz missed returns on their next two BP. also and that was all she wrote. Rafa and Fia would have liked to make more first serves and one time Alcaraz missed four straight serves to get broken in the first. If they had more time together and more practice in doubles no doubt they would be contending in majors. They just gave two recent number 1 in the world to a solid match. Just wasn’t enough. It is hard to see Raj and Kraj losing but would be fun to see them play Frits/Paul or Murray/Evans in a possible Gold Medal match.

Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) def. Taylor Fritz (USA): 6-4 7-5

I woke up and this match was all Fritz. Up a break 4-1. But I guess I jinxed the American because it was all downhill from there. Fritz lost 5 games in a row for Musetti to take the set 6-4. In the second set there was one break point, and it was Musetti who got it at 5-5. Then he served out the match and game set match. One interesting thing about the match is nobody saved a break point, and then held the game. There wasn’t even one game that went to deuce all game. Whoever had a chance, capitalized on it. Not sure if I have ever seen a match so close in score, that did not have one game that went to deuce. This was a good opportunity for Fritz to have a chance at a possible medal, but he would’ve been an underdog the rest of the way. Time for mixed and doubles for him. Musetti moves on, plays Zverev or Popyrin, and whoever wins that match will be somewhat of a similar matchup for Musetti as today.

Muchova/Noskova (CZE) def. Gauff/Pegula (USA): 2-6 6-4 10-5

The beginning of the match was all Coco and Pegula showing why it helps to be a full time doubles team. Early on you could see they were much more comfortable, knowing where the other one would be, being in the right spot, knowing what type of shot you’re partner will hit. It was clear  when the Czech’s were both up they wern’t on the same page and usually was a hole for pegula or Coco to find, or targeting Noskova. They also showed their firepower, both American players having really good returns, and especially with Coco’s serve, they were able to play downhill, through the court. The combo of Noskova’s power and Muchova’s finesse was nice, but the consistency of Coco and Pegula’s attacking tennis paid off over time. 

Both of the Americans have good volleys and when Pegula is back and Coco is up Coco is great at moving at the net, getting on top of it, and making a presence. The Czech combo was better playing one up one back as well, especially with Noskova back ripping. And they found themselves in this position as the match went on. They did try some formations, as Muchova is like Beethoven, very classical tennis, so of course she was going to try some of that. 

As the match went on Noskova, no offense to her, turned into a giant tree. Gaining confidence on each shot at the baseline, she started not just ripping cross court and DTL winners, but it translated at the net too. Timely shank volleys, swing volleys, and even multiple dime lobs in one point. It was like she took some of Muchova game from her and made it her own. Muchova didn’t have to do much, as Noskova took over the match as the match went on and the Americans never adjusted to play Muchova more. There was a rain delay at the end of the 2nd set, which killed the Americans momentum, and when they came back to play it was all the Czechs. 6-4 CZE.

The Czechs ended up taking the third 10-5. Pretty one sided as they got up 7-2 right away. Of the 10 points they won in the third, I bet Noskova hit 6-7 winners. I don’t think anybody, including Coco and Pegula, were expecting Noskova to be the best player on court. Flawless tennis from her and she deserves the win. Another round of getting to watch Muchova, can’t complain there. Also found it funny Yonex had Ruud and Noskova in the same kit, even though they’re from 2 different countries.

Tommy Paul (USA) def. Corentin Moutet (FRA): 7-6(6) 6-3

It was really Tommy all along in this match. He had more firepower, more consistency, was opening up the court with big forehands, and taking it to the Frenchmen. Moutet would try to use his mega lefty slice but TP likes taking that return early and was inside the baseline almost every 2nd serve.

TP was the dog walker and had Moutet on a leash all match. Although the scoreline was pretty close, it was TP always in charge, and Moutet trying to stay in it. And when Moutet would stay in it, the crowd would let everyone know. Moutet is a showman and they love it in Paris. Whenever TP tried to pull away, Moutet was right there still hanging in. In the first set Tommy got an early break in the third game of the match. And then it turned into a bit of a break fest. Moutet started it off breaking back on his 4th break point for 4-4. Tommy right back. Then up 40-15 double set point, Moutet fights back, pulls out the dropshot lob combo to break again 5-5. To a tiebreaker, they go where once again it’s TP hitting headshots and Moutet body blows. Up 6-4, Moutet back to 6-6, just cant shake him. 

In the 2nd set Tommy got to work right away, continuing to be aggressive and taking advantage of a few 2nd serves, takes the break to go up 2-0 in the 2nd on a nice dipping forehand pass. He never looked back, both players holding serve the rest of the set for 6-3 Tommy. Moutet who tried to mix it up with his fake dropshot deep slices, dropshots, high loopy balls, but none of it was really able to shake Tommy. An impressive performance for the American men tally, as that game can be rattling, on top of the French crowd supporting him. But I will say, he seems to be maybe the most like American male player, outside of America, that I can remember. He moves on to play Alcaraz, in a show down of two of the most talented players on Earth. Their first matchup on clay will favor the Spaniard. TP the former Jr Rg champ, and with USA flying on his back, can he get it done?

Iga Swiatek (POL) def. Danielle Collins (USA): 6-1 2-6 4-1 (ret)

Swiatek understood the assignment coming into the match. She knew the threat that Collins poses, how good she can be when she catches fire, and Swiatek shut that down from the jump. She was laser focused, had her brim low, and yelling come on. Usually she is quiet but she was letting Collins feel her presence. With the shots she was hitting, I would’ve been saying “Come on!” like I’m Lleyton Hewitt. Swiatek, like a chess expert, picking and choosing when to be loud based on the importance of the point.  A feeling you only develop from playing matches, understanding the flows of the match. When to step on the gas and when to press the brake at times too. The first set was 6-1 for Swiatek, hitting more winners than unforced errors. 

To start the 2nd set, Collins escaped a long deuce game and you could feel her breathe. And just like that she broke to get back in the match. She turned her game on like the flip of a switch. All of a sudden her ball was much deeper, setting up shots to open the court. Staying a little more patient. Exactly what is needed to beat Iga. She was beating her up, especially using her backhand to take control. There was a faulty game at 2-5, that seemed if Iga can grab this, she might still win this set. But Collins saved a few game points, and clutched out the set 6-2 for the American. Dan-yell, riding the momentum into the third. 

After a Iga Swiatek bathroom break between sets she came back refocused. Nothing could stop her, not even a shot from Collins right into Iga’s gut. To be fair, it was probably the right shot from Collins to go at her, and also was sending a message. But, it couldn’t stop Iga who won the next 3 points to break, and then get another break. Collins went to take a medical timeout at 0-3, seeming like she was trying to stop the momentum. But she came back with tape on her stomach. Maybe a torn ab. 2 games later Collins stretches wide for a backhand and is forced to retire. 4-1 30-15 for Iga. Iga moves on and keeps her sights set on gold.

Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) def. Roman Safiulin (RUS): 6-4, 6-2

Safiulin might’ve been able to get Alcaraz on an indoor hard court but on clay it was always an uphill battle. Charlie just shrinks the court so much, making you go for way too good of  shot, shot after shot. And that’t how the first game started, with Roman missing a few forehands, and a forehand dropshot in the net to give away the break. And then it turned into Charlie Alcaraz god mode. 6 winners out of the next 8 points he won. A backie return DTL winner from the towel rack. Ripping forehands, tracking droppers down with little forehand pushes. Playing f**king stellar. And when he is on, he has 0 weakness, so what’re you going to do.  The rest of the set, Sadfiulin was able to settle in, make a few more shots, and weather the storm. Alcaraz though able to come up with timely answers whenever he needed. That also is the story of his career though isn’t it? 6-4.

The beginning of the 2nd set was a remake of the first. First game, 4 errors from Safiulin. 2 missed FH, 1 DF, 1 missed FH dropper. Break Alcaraz. Except in this set it stayed tighter until Alcaraz indeed did get his 2nd break set up by a screaming DTL sliding backie pass, and then the same shot but cross court. Routine hold. 6-2 Carlitos.

Safiulin had a great tournament and the third round for him is probably better than oddsmakers had him at. Maybe in another part of the draw he goes one match further, but pretty tough when he has to play the greatest player on Earth right now. Alcaraz advances to the quarterfinal for a matchup vs fellow shot maker Tommy Paul.

Casper Ruud (NOR) def. Francisco Cerundolo (ARG): 6-4 6-3

This one was all Ruud and not the match we were hoping for. Maybe Cerundolo tired from playing a couple weeks in a row, and the last 9-10 days. For Ruud, his persistence to work on going bigger on the forehand earlier in the tournament paid off when it mattered. He didn’t double it in big moments and sticked to getting inside the court and putting his opponent on a string, just pulling him around with the forie. The first set started off back and forth and both players had multiple long service games with break point opportunities in the first 5 games. Neither of them got the break but the pressure from Ruud paid off getting the break at the end of the set, and holding to close it out 6-3. Again the second set started off rocky with long service games and break point opportunities but in the end it was Casper the ghost who struck first, got the early break, and never looked back. After the break both players started serving like Isner vs Mahut because there was only one point lose on serve the rest of the set. 6-4