It was shaping up to be a fairy tale ending. Xavier Malisse was the last man to beat Brian Baker in a Slam in the second round of the 2005 US Open. Stan Wawrinka beat Baker in the finals of the French Open junior title two years earlier. Had Baker gotten past Simon, he would have faced Wawrinka. Only one problem. Gilles Simon was having none of that.

Initially, it seemed that the ride would end quickly when Simon went up two sets to love. Baker won a close tie break then combined aggression with finesse to take the fourth set handily. However, in the fifth set, Simon won long rallies and winded Baker. He took control of the set early and rushed to a 6-0 finish as Baker found it difficult to win longer rallies and run down shots.

Federer had a comfortable win over Felix Ungur, a player he’d never played, with a minor hiccup, losing the third set before taking the fourth. Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia gave Djokovic a run for his money, making Djokovic work hard for his win, but ultimately unable to take a set. Tomas Berdcyh continues his mastery of clay with a straight set win over local favorite, Michael Llodra, in straight sets.

David Goffin, upholding the tradition of diminutive Belgians, is in a tussle with French veteran, Arnaud Clement, in a match that will be concluded tomorrow. del Potro needed four close sets to beat Frenchman, Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Nicolas Mahut continues his winning ways over Slovak, Martin Klizan, in straight sets. Stan Wawrinka beat Pablo Andujar in four close sets. Marin Cilic beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets. Kevin Anderson won his match over Horacio Zeballos in four sets.

Tomorrow, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray are scheduled to play.