Murray Falls, Djokovic Wins on Day 4 of W&S Open

The Western and Southern Open continues to provide tennis fans with great matches, upsets, and surprises. With a loaded roster of matches like Djokovic’s and Murray’s completed, let’s breakdown the action on Day 4.

It could not last forever for Murray. He finally lost today, falling 6-2, 6-2 to Canadian Milos Raonic. Murray couldn’t really get anything going on his serve or return game. He only won 38% of his second serve points and won a total of 13 receiving points throughout the match.

Murray definitely had a promising run this tournament, considering the injuries he has been through. Though Murray lost, they should be happy with his performance. There were definitely flashes of his old self, and he does seem to be healthier overall. Let’s hope Murray can build on his success this tournament, and put forth a better result during the US Open.

Novak Djokovic took care of business against American Tennys Sandgren, winning 6-2, 6-4. Djokovic did not play particularly well today at all, as he had a 2:4 ace to double fault ratio, and only converted on 33% of his break point opportunities, which is quite low for a returner of his caliber. However, the fact that he won his match that easily solidifies his position as the favorite to win this tournament even more. If Djokovic is winning like this on a bad day, players should dread, and fans should rejoice when Djokovic gets into his groove. He plays Jan-Lennard Struff tomorrow in the quarterfinals.

Stefanos Tsitsipas beat John Isner in a tough match, winning 7-6(2), 7-6(4). Both players put in a great effort, but it was Tsitsipas in the end who was able to dominate the tiebreaks. Both players hit 10 aces, but Isner has 4 double faults to Tsitsipas’ 1. Tsitsipas also won 99% of his first-serve points, which helped him out especially in the tiebreaks, as Tsitsipas was able to hold his mini-break leads. Tsitsipas goes into Day 5 as one of the favorites behind Djokovic to win the tournament.

Dark Horse Alert 

American Reilly Opelka is quietly winning his matches quite easily during this Western and Southern Open. Today, he beat 6 seed Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 7-6(4). Yesterday, he beat 9th-seeded Diego Schwartzman in straight sets, and on Day 1, he beat Cameron Norrie in straight sets. Opelka has dominated on his serve so far this tournament. He is definitely a dark horse to watch for, so tennis fans should keep an eye on him as the tournament progresses. He plays Stefanos Tsitsipas tomorrow, making it the must-watch match of Day 5.

Day 4 Results

[3] D Medvedev def [Q] A Bedene 6-3, 6-3

J Struff def [7] D Goffin 6-4, 3-6, 6-4

[8] R Bautista Agut def [11] K Khachanov 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

[1] N Djokovic def [WC} T Sandgren 6-2, 6-4

R Opelka def [6] M Berrettini 6-3, 7-6(4)

M Raonic def [WC] A Murray 6-2, 6-2

[4] S Tsitsipas def [16] J Isner 7-6(2), 7-6(4)

F Krajinovic def [Q] M Fucsovics 6-2, 6-1

Day 5 Schedule

1 PM

[3] D Medvedev vs [8] R Bautista Agut

3 PM

[1] N Djokovic vs J Struff

5 PM

R Opelka vs [4] S Tsitsipas

7 PM

M Raonic vs F Krajnovic