Despite his opponent’s 64% first serve and a top speed of 236km/h, Mannarino managed the feat of capturing the big serve from the American four times. As if he were reading his trajectories like an open book. “I was trying to guess his areas a bit, because his ball throw is the same for allhe explained. Sometimes he shifts and tries to pretend a bit. I really went there instinctively and I came back rather well in the important moments. Going back to the court often and making him play made him doubt a little. »
After a solid first set, the tide of play turned. A specialist in electric atmospheres that he particularly likes, Shelton set the court n°1 ablaze where his fans gave voice. Showing his muscles under his sleeveless polo shirt, he equalized at one set all. “It didn’t bother me that much, actually.disait « Manna ». I found that he did not hit the ball very well. He snatches his shots a bit, afterwards he is very physical, he runs well, he makes the opponent play a lot but it does not come out of the racket very well and unfortunately when I broke him from the start of the second set I stopped playing a bit. I felt like I wasn’t afraid of much so I stayed a little bit defensive rather than going for the points. »
“However, I did not feel well physically and I did not see myself winning this match”
But in the third round, Mannarino, who is a bit at home here since he lives 20 minutes from Hard Rock Stadium, used his experience and his early ball catches to deprive his opponent of time. “However, I did not feel well physically and I did not see myself winning this match so I said to myself, as long as I lose so much, put in the wayhe described. At least have a good attitude and play offensively rather than waiting. Losing a set with the attitude I had in the 2nd there is nothing more annoying. »
A 26th winning move (for 18 unforced errors) gave him the victory and the right to face in the next round the Pole Hubert Hurkacz (26 years old, 9th) whom he beat once (at the Australian Open 2022) in three encounters. Mannarino, who refuses to know his opponents before D-Day is aware this time. “I saw his coach in the stands so I suspected it would be against him! He’s a great player, he often plays great here, big serve, in the exchange he doesn’t necessarily hurt very much but he covers the ground very well. For a big boy he moves very well, there is no secret he is very well ranked, there are reasons for that. »
