Marcos Baghdatis didn’t win against Matteo Berrettini (17), but in a competitive performance, bowed out, not just from this Wimbledon, but from a long, distinguished and entertaining career at the highest level.
In 2006, at age 20, Marcos delighted the large Cypriot and Greek community in Melbourne when he sailed through to the Australian Open final, meeting Roger Federer, and lifting the runners-up trophy.
Months later, he would make the final four at Wimbledon, where it would take Nadal to end his run. 2007, and another great performance at Wimbledon, highlighted by his quarter final exit, beaten by Djokovic in five sets after losing the first two. 7-6(4) 7-6(9) 6-7(3) 4-6 7-5 was the ultimate scoreline.
No more Baghdatis, and also no more John Isner, as the ninth seed was given his marching orders by Mikhail Kukushkin from Kazakhstan in a five set battle, the younger of the 30+ players taking the final two sets.
A number of men’s seeds followed Isner out the door:
Englishman Daniel Evans brought happiness to the locals in the Court Two crowd when he ousted Nikoloz Basilashvili (18).
Joao Sousa surprised most by kicking Marin Cilic (13) from the tournament in straight sets. In five previous main draw attempts here, Sousa had lost his opening match four times.
Laslo Djere (31) was thrashed by John Millman, while Gilles Simon (20) and Alex de Minaur (25) were each taken the distance before finally beaten by Americans Tennys Sandgren and Steve Johnson respectively.
Winning men’s seeds:
Kei Nishikori (8) defeated Cameron Norrie
Rafa Nadal (3) defeated Nick Kyrgios
Roger Federer (2) defeated Jay Clarke
Fabio Fognini (12) defeated Marton Fucsovics
Diego Schwartzman (24) defeated Dominik Koepfer
Jan-Lennard Struff (33) defeated Taylor Fritz
Lucas Pouille (27) defeated Gregoire Barrere
Angie Kerber, last years champion, was the big name to fall on the women’s side of things on Day Four. Lauren Davis appeared set for a routine exit following a quick first set loss, but a sharp reversal of fortune saw the American win 12 of the next 15 games to dismiss the three time major winner. Fellow German player Laura Siegemund also lost, the Czech hands of Barbora Strycova doing the damage. Julia Goerges (18) saved the day for Germany, winning her clash with Varvara Flink
Amanda Anisimova (25) was the other women’s seed to leave, overcome by Magda Linette.
Successful women’s seeds:
Johanna Konta (19) defeated Katerina Siniakova
Petra Kvitová defeated Kristina Mladenovic
Serena Williams (11) defeated Kaja Duvan
Ash Barty (1) defeated Alison Van Uytvanck
Sloane Stephens (9) defeated Wang Yafan
Carla Suárez Navarro (30) defeated Paula Parmentier
Elise Mertens (21) defeated Monica Niculescu
Wang Qiang (15) defeated Tamara Zidansek
Kiki Bertens (4) defeated Taylor Townsend
Belinda Bencic (13) defeated Kaia Kanepi
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