A spot in the next round is at stake on Thursday, when Frances Tiafoe goes up against Kei Nishikori in the Tokyo round of 32. Frances Tiafoe is 8-2 across recent matches. Kei Nishikori is 4-6 across recent matches.

Hold strength tells the story — 72.1% versus 68.4% on first-serve points in Tiafoe's favor. The edge belongs to Tiafoe — real, but not the kind you take for granted at this level.