As third round matches begin, there were a few folks that had to complete second round matches. In particular, up two sets to none against Russian, Sergiy Stahkovsky, Djokovic had to wait until today to complete the third set.

The third set was merely a formality, taken 6-1 in merely 35 minutes of play. The final score: 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.

Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany was locked in a battle with former number 1, Juan Carlos Ferrero. The two also had to wait until to day to complete the fifth set. Kohlschreiber took the fifth, 6-3. Final score: 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3.

Winning a third round match is the goal of two Andy’s: Andy Murray and Andy Roddick, neither of whom have made it past the third round of the French. Winners of the third round head into the second week which is comparable to making it to the “Sweet Sixteen” of American NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Championships, often nicknamed “March Madness”. To survive to the final 16 is quite the accomplishment.

The third round is where the matches become more competitive as top seeds begin to meet one another.

Verdasco vs Almagro is the battle of two hard hitting Spaniards. Verdasco had won all prior encounters. Given his newfound fitness and confidence, Verdasco is starting to win matches like these. He was given a challenge, but still won in straight sets: 6-2, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (8).

Fernando Gonzalez continues to roll as he beats surprising upstart, Josselin Ouanna. Ouanna had beaten Granollers of Spain and Marat Safin before falling to the hard hitting Chilean: 7-5, 6-3, 7-5.

Nikolay Davydenko has been on the road to recovery and beat his first big challenge, Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka: 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

In current play, Nadal has won the first set 6-1 over Lleyton Hewitt. Nadal is up a break in the second, leading 4-3.

28 year old Victor Hanescu has taken a 2 set to love lead over Frenchman Gilles Simon: 6-4, 6-4, in what promises to be the first upset of the day.

Marin Cilic appears headed to a straight set victory over Czech, Radek Stepanek. He leads 6-1, 7-6 (4), 4-1.

David Ferrer and Robin Soderling are in a first set tiebreak.

UPDATE: Nadal has crushed Hewitt: 6-1, 6-3, 6-1. Looking a lot like last year. Hanescu beat Simon in straight sets: 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. This is an upset, but Simon hasn’t played well this year. Hanescu appears to have a speedy second serve.

Cilic beat Stepanek 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Ferrer won the opening set tiebreak against Soderling (7 points to 5). 5-all in the second set.