As an unprecedented heatwave took hold at the All England Club, a sensible theme emerged among the men’s seeds competing in Wimbledon’s second round: keep it simple and if at all possible, keep it short.
Even John Isner, known for his marathons, didn’t pause to consider the plaque that commemorates his 11-hour, five-minute win against Nicolas Mahut here in 2010.
“It's cool. I have a picture with it. But, you know, now I just walk by it. I don't stop and look at it. I know what it says,” the American smiled as he recalled the record-breaking match that finished 70-68 in the fifth set.
Today it was a far easier progression, the No.17 seed Isner helped by 23 aces as he outclassed Australian wild card Matt Ebden 6-2, 7-6(8), 6-4 in one hour and 56 minutes.
While a relatively quick assignment in the unusually testing conditions was welcomed, Isner also pointed to the positives in competing on such a warm day.
“I'm glad I played on this day,” he said. “I like playing in the heat. It wasn't too humid out there. You know, in conditions like that, it really helps my game. The ball is jumping all over the place, and I think that helps me a lot.”
I'm playing well but I have to keep playing well
Isner, who has progressed past the second round only once in six Wimbledon campaigns, now has his sights set on a similarly emphatic performance against Marin Cilic in the third round. “I'm certainly playing well,” he said. “(But) I have to keep playing well. There are absolutely no gimmes, especially at this juncture.”
A career-best performance is also in sight for No.16 seed David Goffin, who ended the chances of local hope Liam Broady with a 7-6 (3), 6-1, 6-1 win in an hour and 53 minutes.
Having advanced to the third round in 2012, the rapidly-improving Belgian has a chance to build on a stellar 2015 when he faces Marcos Baghdatis, who recovered from a two-sets deficit to defeat Australian qualifier John Millman.
There’s also an opportunity for Richard Gasquet, who showed no mercy while competing against his world No.163 countryman, Kenny de Schepper. The No.21 seed took just an hour and 17 minutes to triumph 6-0, 6-3, 6-3 in the all-French encounter, recording an efficient 24 winners compared to 13 from De Schepper.
A straightforward win was undoubtedly pleasing for Gasquet, given that he’d dramatically surrendered nine match points in a loss to Nick Kyrgios at the same stage in 2014.
A Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2007, the Frenchman’s challenge intensifies as he faces Grigor Dimitrov in the third round. While the Bulgarian’s higher seeding, at No.11, points to a favoured status, Gasquet will gain confidence from having won all four of the matches he’s contested against Dimitrov so far.
Kevin Anderson, who made the fourth round in 2014, was one of the few men’s seeds to drop a set in the third round, relying on 34 aces as he recorded a 6-7(5), 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-4 win over Marsel Ilhan.
The South African will need that big serve against third-round opponent, No.24 seed Leonardo Mayer, who progressed with a 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 win over Marcel Granollers. The Argentine has recorded his best Grand Slam results at Wimbledon, also advancing to the fourth round in 2014.
It’s a result that Dominic Thiem would love to emulate. Touted for his prodigious natural talent, the 21-year-old Austrian is yet to advance past the second round at the All England Club. Despite his No.32 seeding, Thiem’s 2015 campaign was thwarted by Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco, who claimed a 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win in three hours and 12 minutes to set up a third-round clash with Stan Wawrinka.
