A MIXED bag of results was had during the Winston-Salem Open Round of 32, with a number of seeds falling at the second round hurdle as a couple of lucky losers joined the winners list.

Four seeds head to the sidelines after today’s action, with fifth seed Alexander Bublik, sixth seed Marin Cilic, 10th seed Federico Coria and 11th seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas all knocked from contention. Only Cilic was able to take a set off his opposition, winning the first before Belarusian Ilya Ivashka took control of the eventual 4-6 7-5 6-4 result. Sweden’s Mikael Ymer was impressive in his victory against Ramos-Vinolas, claiming a 67-minute, 6-3 6-1 win credit to his 75 per cent win rate off his first serve off an efficient 74 per cent clip. He faced just one break point and saved it, with the Spaniard unable to compete with Ymer’s consistency. Ramos-Vinolas’ two compatriots both claimed second round wins, with 15th seed Carlos Alcaraz also dealt three sets, coming from a set down to overcome Australian qualifier Alexei Popyrin 6-7(9) 6-1 7-6(1). Meanwhile, number one seed Pablo Carreno Busta fought back a hungry Soonwoo Kwon, 6-3 3-6 6-4, firing off eight aces for one double fault compared to Kwon’s six and three.

“It was a very close match, he played really well in the second and third sets,” Carreno Busta said. “It is really nice to be here again. I am happy as it is important for me to start my first match with a victory.

“I feel really comfortable here; it is a nice way to go to New York before the US Open. It is very important for me to play as many matches as possible.”

A number of other seeds head into the third round, with Marton Fucsovics, Jan-Lennard Struff, Benoit Paire and Daniel Evans among them. Third seed Evans was the only remaining seed to face down a three set clash, denying qualifier Lucas Pouille another win on the board with a huge final set to claim the 3-6 6-4 6-1 result. Despite wildcard compatriot Andy Murray‘s best efforts, he could not earn his way into the Round of 16 as 13th seeded American Frances Tiafoe reigned supreme. While Murray credited Tiafoe for the victory, his frustration at his own form was evident post-match.

“The positive thing is that I moved well and served well but my level is up and down with no real consistency,” Murray said. “There are moments in matches where I play well and then I make mistakes or miss returns. I wish I wasn’t doing that.

“My level is around 50 or 60 in the world. It’s frustrating because if wasn’t moving great and not feeling good physically then I would be a bit easier on myself. But when I’m winning a low percentage of second-serve points, that’s got nothing to do with the physical side of things.”

Meanwhile, two lucky losers in Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Australian Max Purcell made the most of their opportunities in the second round, with the former claiming a solid 74-minute victory over Federico Coria and the latter ousting fellow countryman Jordan Thompson. The day’s final winner was Brazilian Thiago Monteiro, who overcame American Eduardo Nava.

WINSTON-SALEM OPEN ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:

[1] Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) defeated Soonwoo Kwon (KOR) 6-3 3-6 6-4
[3] Daniel Evans (GBR) defeated [Q] Lucas Pouille (FRA) 3-6 6-4 6-1
[4] Marton Fucsovics (HUN) defeated [LL] Yosuke Watanuki (JPN) 7-5 6-1
Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) defeated [5] Alexander Bublik (KAZ) 6-2 7-6
Ilya Ivashka (BLR) defeated [6] Marin Cilic (CRO) 4-6 7-5 6-4
[9] Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) defeated Gianluca Mager (ITA) 6-2 6-2
Marcos Giron (USA) defeated [10] Federico Delbonis (ARG) 6-3 6-4
Mikael Ymer (SWE) defeated [11] Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) 6-3 6-1
[12] Benoit Paire (FRA) defeated Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-3 6-3
[13] Frances Tiafoe (USA) defeated [WC] Andy Murray (GBR) 7-6 6-3
[15] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) defeated [Q] Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 6-7 6-1 7-6
[LL] Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) defeated Federico Coria (ARG) 6-4 6-2
Thiago Monteiro (BRA) defeated [LL] Eduardo Nava (USA) 7-5 6-1
[LL] Max Purcell (AUS) defeated Jordan Thompson (AUS) 7-5 6-4

Picture credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images