The French are not at the party just before the US Open. Initially eight entered on Winston Salem’s ATP 250, there is already only one tricolor left in the third round. Winner of a 100% French duel in the first round against his compatriot Alexandre Muller (85th), Benjamin Bonzi (101st) had a lot to do to get out of the second round against the American Sebastian Korda (33rd). Overwhelmed in all areas of the game, the native of Nimes was swept away in 1h07: 6-2, 6-3.

Not better for Luca Van Assche, after a big fight, the 65th in the world fell to the seed number 9, the Australian Aleksandar Vukic (51st). After 2h33 of play, the tricolor gave up in three sets: 6-3, 6-7, 6-3. Vukic will face Sebastian Baez (42nd) in the next round.

Finally, seeded obliges, Arthur Fils (45th) was exempt from the first round at Winston-Salem. As soon as he entered the fray (in the second round therefore), he was knocked out by local Brandon Nakashima (72nd) in three sets: ([5] 6-7, 7-6 [5], 6-2). The tricolor may have regrets against an opponent he already beat in Lyon on clay a few months ago.

Winner of the first round in the tie-break, Arthur Fils could have won in the second with a new decisive game, but the 19-year-old cracked at the worst time. The last set was much less tight, victory for the American in 2h37. Nakashima will face Richard Gasquet in the third round, the last French survivor.

Other Winston-Salem ATP Tournament results:

2nd round (men’s singles):

Borna Coric (CRO/N.1) bat Rinky Hijikata (AUS) 6-2, 7-6 (7/2)

Michael Mmoh (USA) beat Marcos Giron (USA/N.13) 6-3, 6-4

Juan Manuel Cerundolo (ARG) bat Yannick Hanfmann (GER/N.10) 7-6 (7/3), 5-7, 7-6 (7/4)

Omni Kumar (USA) bat Botic of the Sand Scallop (NED/N.8) 6-3, 7-5

Laslo Djere (SRB/N.4) beat Facundo Diaz (ARG) 6-3, 6-3

Alex Michelsen (USA) beat Sebastian Ofner (AUT/N.15) 7-6 (7/4), 7-5

Jirí Lehecka (CZE/N.5) beat Mitchell Krueger (USA) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3

Dominik Koepfer (GER) beat Strong Kirchheimer (USA) 6-3, 6-2

Max Purcell (AUS) bat Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) 6-4, 6-1

Tallon Greek track (NED/N.2) bat Jack Draper (GBR) 7-6 (10/8), 0-0 (abandon)