ATP Cincinnati: Stefanos Tsitsipas storms over Kevin Anderson. Richard Gasquet wins

Competing for the first time since March, world no. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas is off to a flying start in New York, defeating Kevin Anderson 6-1, 6-3 in 68 minutes. Stefanos secured the 26th Masters 1000 triumph in style, dropping 16 points in eight service games and fending off all three break chances. Kevin couldn't follow those numbers a day after a tight victory over Kyle Edmund, spraying almost 30 unforced errors to finish his Cincinnati campaign in the second round. The Greek had a slim edge in the shortest range up to four strokes, dominating in the more extended exchanges to seal the deal and move into the third round where he plays against John Isner or John Millman. Tsitsipas grabbed half of the return points, securing four breaks and taming his trokes nicely to advance into the next round. Anderson sprayed a forehand error in the third game to find himself 2-1 down, placing another one beyond the baseline in the next one that confirmed the break for Stefanos.

The South African netted a forehand in the fifth game to find himself 4-1 down, closing the terrible set with yet another loose stroke from his right wing at 1-5, suffering the third straight break of serve. Facing three break points at 2-2 in set number two, Tsitsipas erased them all to earn momentum, securing a break at 4-3 following a double fault from Anderson and moving over the top with a service winner in the ninth game to reach the next round. Tennys Sandgren clinched the second Masters 1000 victory, beating Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 7-6 in an hour and 44 minutes. It was a mighty close encounter with only two break chances and one break of serve for the American in the opener. Sonego squandered a break opportunity in the sixth game, opening a 6-3 advantage in the tie break and having three set points up for grabs. Tennys stayed focused to defend them all, converting the second match point at 8-7 to seal the deal and move over the top.

Stefanos Tsitsipas needed 68 minutes to dismiss Kevin Anderson. 

In the battle of the qualifiers, Marcos Giron took down Mackenzie McDonald 7-6, 7-5 in an hour and 44 minutes for the third Masters 1000 victory. Giron got broken twice and earned three breaks from six chances, coming from 5-3 down in the opener to extend the action following the last minute break. Marcos won the tie break 7-2, bouncing back from a break down in the second and emerging at the top with a late break at 6-5. Richard Gasquet secured the 138th Masters 1000 win, toppling J.J Wolf 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 23 minutes. Gasquet played better on the second serve, earning four breaks and shifting his game from 3-1 down in the opener to seal the deal in straight sets. Richard grabbed nine out of 11 games to forge a 6-4, 4-1 lead, crossing the finish line with a hold at love in the tenth game for the fifth victory of the season. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/32jGBjV