REVENGE was a dish best served just three days after the fact, as Britain’s Andy Murray toppled sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a convincing win. Murray’s 6-1 6-4 triumph over Tsitsipas reversed the result from Friday’s loss in the Madrid Masters final for the British Grand Slam winner to book a spot in the third round of the 2020 ATP Rome Masters fantasy tennis tournament.

The result also continued the trend of tournament winners bowing out in their next match, with Tsitsipas joining another Madrid semi-finalist – Alexander Zverev – on the list of exits from Rome. The German up and comer was bundled out of the tournament by the fourth Madrid semi-finalist – Cristian Garin – losing 7-6 6-4 in a tight straight sets battle. Meanwhile fifth seed Daniil Medvedev’s horror clay season continued with a three-set loss to Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

It was much better news for the top four players who all escaped their first matches of the tournament, with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer claiming wins over Reilly Opelka, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets. In Djokovic and Nadal’s case, they dropped a combined five games between them in less-than-an-hour smashings. Meanwhile Dominic Thiem had to come from behind before he was able to overcome Milos Raonic, downing the Canadian 4-6 6-2 6-3.

The procession of seeds through to the next round continued in the lower ranks with eighth seed Diego Schwartzman bouncing back from a disappointing Madrid Masters to post a 6-3 6-3 win over Taylor Fritz in Rome. David Goffin, Matteo Berrettini and Stan Wawrinka also advanced through rather easily, whilst Nikoloz Basilashvili had to come from behind before knocking out Canadian Denis Shapovalov, 2-6 6-2 6-2.

The four remaining winners were unseeded, with Albert Ramos-Vinolas toppling 15th seed Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3 7-5 to set up a Round of 16 date with Djokovic. Also through to the Round of 16 were Filip Krajnovic, Casper Ruud and Jeremy Chardy with strong performances in their second round clashes.

Tomorrow’s round of action sees an all-Swiss classic between Federer and Wawrinka, as well as the in-form Krajinovic taking on Thiem in what is anticipated to be a classic contest.

ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Reilly Opelka (USA) 6-1 6-2
[2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 6-1 6-1
[3] Dominic Thiem (AUT) defeated Milos Raonic (CAN) 4-6 6-2 6-3
[4] Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 6-2 7-5
Kei Nishikori (JPN) defeated [5] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 6-3 2-6 6-3
Andy Murray (GBR) defeated [6] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 6-1 6-4
Cristian Garin (CHI) defeated [7] Alexander Zverev (GER) 7-6 6-4
[8] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) defeated Taylor Fritz (USA) 6-3 6-3
[11] David Goffin (BEL) defeated Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) 7-6 6-4
[13] Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) defeated Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 2-6 6-2 6-2
[14] Matteo Berrettini (ITA) defeated Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 6-3 7-5
Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) defeated [15] Karen Khachanov (RUS) 7-6 7-6
[16] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) defeated John Millman (AUS) 6-1 6-1
Filip Krajinovic (SRB) defeated Kyle Edmund (GBR) 2-6 6-0 6-4
Casper Ruud (NOR) defeated Fabio Fognini (ITA) 6-4 6-3
[Q] Jeremy Chardy (FRA) defeated [WC] Thiago Seyboth Wild (BRA) 6-1 7-5