Dalibor Švrčina beat Valentin Royer 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, 6-2 at the US Open, recovering after twice failing to close out the match. The difference was return play: Švrčina converted seven break points and won 57 return points to Royer's 46.
Švrčina edged the opener with a break at 4-3 after an early exchange of breaks, then moved ahead with breaks at 2-1 and 6-3 in set two. Royer levelled by taking the next two sets 7-5, breaking at 5-6 in both; the fourth-set break was the turning point. In the decider Švrčina raced to breaks at 2-0 and 4-0, and although Royer broke at 5-2, Švrčina responded immediately at 6-2 to finish the match.
Švrčina was outserved in the ace count, trailing 6 to 9, and made 14 double faults to Royer's four, yet he won 50 of 68 points behind his first serve and saved 10 of 16 break points. Royer saved 8 of 15, but could not match Švrčina's sustained return pressure.