Day Two saw the remaining opening-round matches finish before the tournament shifts into the seeded second-round clashes.

While there were no huge shocks, several established names were made to work hard as Stefanos Tsitsipas survived a late scare, and Matteo Berrettini battled back from a set down.

Former champions Marin Čilić and Grigor Dimitrov, meanwhile, both suffered disappointing early exits.

With the first round now complete, the tournament really gets underway on Saturday as all 32 seeds enter the draw, headlined by Novak Djokovic’s return to Cincinnati, Alexander Zverev’s opener against Cameron Norrie, and a host of intriguing second-round matchups.

Day Two Cincinnati Open Round of 128 Results

Key Match Recap

Stefanos Tsitsipas def. Valentin Royer 7-6(4), 7-5

Stefanos Tsitsipas avoided an opening-round upset, recovering from a late wobble to defeat Valentin Royer and book a second-round meeting with Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The Greek looked in complete control after taking the first set and building a 5-2 lead in the second, but Royer refused to go away, saving two match points before levelling at 5-5.

Tsitsipas eventually steadied himself, broke again before converting his sixth match point, and his Cincinnati record of two semi-finals and a final is a decent one. Not sure he’ll replicate any of those runs this year, mind.

Daniel Mérida Aguilar def. Marin Čilić 3-6, 6-1, 6-1

Daniel Mérida showed his Montreal run was no fluke, recovering from a slow start to eliminate former Cincinnati champion Marin Čilić.

After dropping the opening set, the Spaniard completely flipped the momentum, dominating the baseline exchanges and winning the final two sets with ease.

Cilic is always going to struggle in matches that go the distance, so unless he can get you out of there in two quick sets, you always fancy the opponent to come out on top if they can take it three sets.

Matteo Berrettini def. Titouan Droguet 3-6, 6-1, 6-4

Matteo Berrettini survived an early scare against qualifier Titouan Droguet before finding his range.

Droguet, who reached the third round in Montreal after coming through qualifying, continued his excellent recent form by taking the opening set, but Berrettini gradually imposed himself with his heavier serve and forehand.

The Italian raised his level significantly after the first set and closed out the final two sets without allowing the French qualifier many opportunities.

Sebastián Báez def. Grigor Dimitrov 1-6, 6-3, 6-4

Sebastián Báez recovered from a dreadful opening set to eliminate former Cincinnati champion Grigor Dimitrov.

Dimitrov looked set for a routine victory after racing through the first set, but the Bulgarian’s level gradually dipped as Báez began extending rallies and forcing more errors.

The deciding set swung badly for the Bulgarian, with Dimitrov leading 3-0 and 4-1 before Báez reeled him back in to complete another impressive comeback.

For Dimitrov, it’s a frustrating return from injury, and he shouldn’t really be losing to this guy on hard courts.

Baez has been a bit better on the surface this year, but on a quick hardcourt at a tournament you’ve won before, and a 4-1 lead in the decider? Weak.

Other Matches of Note

Alex Michelsen produced another composed display to defeat Jesper de Jong 6-4, 6-4 and set up an all-American clash with Taylor Fritz.

Hubert Hurkacz made a solid return with a routine 6-2, 6-4 victory over lucky loser Sho Shimabukuro.

Nuno Borges edged one of the matches of the day, saving himself after dropping the opening set to defeat Thanasi Kokkinakis 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-6(4). The Aussie picked up another injury in the third after cramping and twisting his ankle.

Aleksandar Kovacevic also produced an impressive comeback, recovering from a set down to knock out Karen Khachanov 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(2).

Highlights

Cincinnati Open Day Three Round of 64 Matches

- Alexander Zverev (1) vs Cameron Norrie

- Terence Atmane vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry (26)

- Tommy Paul (18) vs Hubert Hurkacz

- Adolfo Daniel Vallejo vs Valentin Vacherot (15)

- Rafael Jodar (12) vs Denis Shapovalov

- Jan-Lennard Struff vs Alejandro Tabilo (22)

- Alexander Blockx (28) vs Mariano Navone

- Miomir Kecmanovic vs Flavio Cobolli (7)

- Novak Djokovic (3) vs Thiago Agustin Tirante

- Martin Landaluce vs Matteo Arnaldi (31)

- Luciano Darderi (19) vs Rinky Hijikata (WC)

- Mattia Bellucci vs Jakub Mensik (14)

- Jiri Lehecka (9) vs Matteo Berrettini

- Yannick Hanfmann vs Arthur Fils (21)

- Arthur Fery (32) vs James Duckworth

- Quentin Halys (Q) vs Alex de Minaur (5)