It was a heated match up between two talented clean hitters on Court 13, and the level of the battle matched expectations as David Goffin ultimately overcame Ricardas Berankis in the second round. The five set ordeal was certainly high quality and lasted just under three hours and thirty three minutes.
Berankis wins tense set
The first two games almost became teasers for the remainder of the match as both players found themselves having to serve out of a deuce situation, neither conceding a break point opportunity. After the openers, both began to serve well, with
Berankis serving 60 percent first serves in and winning 81 percent of said points. In comparison, Goffin sent out first serves only half of the time, but he lost just two of his first serve points. Both had three break point opportunities each during the set, but it was Berankis who edged his opponent and broke to take the set 7-5.
Goffin retaliates
Berankis lost some steam after the nerve wracking first set, and found himself two break points down in his very first service game. He saved these, but he was definitely under pressure as his opponent was starting to win points more easily.
Berankis' next service game entailed him having to save three more break points whilst Goffin was serving out his games without conceding many points. It was in the seventh game of the set when Goffin finally converted one of his break points, and ultimately served out the set 6-4 without any trouble.
Momentum shifts again
Berankis was able to reel himself back into the match despite the disappointing second set, even though it was Goffin who drew first blood by breaking Berankis in the third game of the third set. Berankis held his nerve to emphatically break his opponent back in the next game itself.
After trading breaks both were able to hold their serves for a while and do some power hitting. Berankis hit an impressive fifteen winners in the set, and broke Goffin in the eighth game. Consolidating to take the set became a challenge as Goffin did not let up and took Berankis to advantage multiple times, but the Lithuanian was able to hold on his third set point and win the game. He was now two sets to one up.
Goffin comes back to dominate proceedings
Berankis now seemed to be in charge, and had a break point in Goffin's first service game, but the Belgian kept his composure and held. The pressure was definitely on the fourteenth seed as Berankis was holding his serve more quickly and conceding less points. Goffin turned it around in the sixth game however, as he hit three beautiful winners and forced an error from his opponent to break. His serving also improved as he consolidated convincingly, and broke Berankis again in the eighth game to take the set 6-2.
The fourteenth seed was relentless in the decider, not allowing momentum to shift yet again. He lost just one point on his first serve here and worked hard to break Berankis in his first service game. He shifted to fifth gear and broke his opponent again after consolidating, and then raced ahead to a 5-0 lead. Berankis avoided the bagel by holding once, but Goffin had no troubles in closing out the set and the match.
Despite Berankis' tough fight, Goffin was finally able to overcome him after being two sets to one down. The fourteenth seed will now play Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round.