Convincing return

Darderi wasn’t expecting much for his first match on grass, and he still managed to take out Hanfmann

The score is deceptive given how clinical Darderi was in this match, but I’d still say he was really the better player. He saved 13 out of 13 break points, and luckily his serve was working, otherwise he was out! I said before this match that even without ambition or expectations he would fight like crazy; he hates losing so much that he just can’t accept it. His mentality helps him get through even when he’s not playing very well. He also had a big mental edge over Hanfmann; every time they play it’s tight, but everything tends to go the Italian’s way. It goes through for this first round, but the second one is likely to be even tougher.

Borges got the win against Struff even though it’s not a match-up he likes, and it showed! A well-controlled first set, then a tough second set to close it out. The main thing is that he pulled through against a dangerous opponent, and I’ve loved his level for weeks now. I feel like he’s really feeling the ball and it’s only a matter of time before he pulls off something big. Maybe this is the week? In any case, the start is good. He leads 2–0 against Darderi but with two three-set wins; I’m expecting a big battle, but I like the match-up for Borges, who’s going to have more time than he did against Struff. This time Darderi is going to have to serve steel again, otherwise in the rallies it could get tricky!