At its halfway point, the 2017 edition of the Citi Open has lived up to its billing with one of its strongest fields, competitive matches and plenty of first-round upsets and near-upsets to keep fans on their seats beyond 2 a.m. on each of the first three days of the main draw.
In a stunning upset on Wednesday evening, 25-year-old qualifier Yuki Bhambri of India defeated reigning ATP Citi Open champion Gael Monfils of France, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Also on Wednesday, women’s second seed Kristina “Kiki” Mladenovic of France had to fight off a strong challenge from Tatjana Maria of Germany in three sets, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, in a two-and-a-half-hour match punctuated by a 15-minute medical delay for Mladenovic in the final set.
Also on center court on Wednesday, third seed Milos Raonic of Canada had all he could handle from 35-year-old Nicolas Mahut of France, 7-6(2), 7-6(8). Early in the second set, Raonic blasted a 151-mph ace past Mahut, one of 26 aces for the match.
In the match that followed, 20-year-old sensation and fifth seed Alexander “Sasha” Zverev of Germany survived a strong challenge from Jordan Thompson of Australia, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5), in a match that lasted two hours and 11 minutes.
In other WTA results on Wednesday, Eugenie Bouchard of Canada scored her first win since Roland Garros with a 7-6(6), 6-0 win over number-eight seed Christina McHale of the U.S., also in a two-hour, three-set match. On Monday, third seed Lauren Davis of the U.S., last years Citi Open runner up, was stunned 7-5 6-3 by Belarusian teenager Aryna Sabalenka.
The Citi Open will be held through Aug. 6 at Rock Creek Tennis Center, 16th & Kennedy Streets NW. A portion of the proceeds from the Citi Open benefit the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation.
View Jeff Malet’s photos from these and other matches from the first half of the Citi Open by clicking on the photo icons.
Reigning ATP Citi Open champion Gael Monfils was stunned by Yuki Bhambri in the second round, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Photo by Jeff Malet.
Women’s second seed Kristina “Kiki” Mladenovic (FRA) had to fight off a strong challenge from Tatjana Maria (GER) in three sets, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in a 2 1/2 hour match.
25-year-old qualifier Yuki Bhambri of India defeated reigning ATP Citi Open champion Gael Monfils (FRA) 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
Reigning ATP Citi Open champion Gael Monfils (FRA) was stunned by Yuki Bhambri (IND) in the second round 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
Alexander “Sasha” Zverev (GER) survived a strong challenge from Jordan Thompson (AUS) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5)
Jordan Thompson (AUS) in photo. Alexander “Sasha” Zverev (GER) survived a strong challenge from Thompson (AUS) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5)
Women’s second seed Kristina “Kiki” Mladenovic (FRA) had to fight off a strong challenge from Tatjana Maria (GER) in three sets, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in a 2 1/2 hour match
Milos Raonic (CAN) had all he could handle from 35 year old Nicolas Mahut (FRA) 7-6(2) 7-6(8)
Dudi Sela (ISR) was defeated by Jared Donaldson (USA) on Tuesday in first round action 6-7(6) 6-4 6-3
Deniz Khazaniuk (ISR) lost to Sophie Chang (USA) 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 in a two hour qualifying match on Sunday
Christina McHale (USA) lost to Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) in the second round 7-6(6), 6-0
Sophie Chang (USA) defeated Deniz Khazaniuk (ISR) 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 in a two hour qualifying match on Sunday
Valentini Grammatikopoulou of Greece defeated S.L. Xu of China in Sunday’s qualifying round 6-3 6-3
Françoise Abanda (CAN) lost to Julia Göerges (GER) in Monday’s first round 6-4 6-4
Julia Göerges (GER) 4th seed defeated Françoise Abanda (CAN) 6-4 6-4 in Monday’s first round
On Monday, third seed Lauren Davis (USA), last years Citi Open runner up, was stunned 7-5 6-3 by Belarusian teenager Aryna Sabalenka
Nicolas Mahut (FRA) defeated Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 6-1 7-6(3) in Monday’s first round
Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) – Nicolas Mahut (FRA) defeated Fabbiano (ITA) 6-1 7-6(3) in Monday’s first round
Vasek Pospisil (CAN) lost to Henri Laaksonen 6-7 6-4 6-3 in Monday’s first round
Henri Laaksonen defeated Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 6-7 6-4 6-3 in Monday’s first round
Jared Donaldson (USA) defeated Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-7(6) 6-4 6-3
Dudi Sela (ISR) was defeated by Jared Donaldson (USA) on Tuesday in first round action 6-7(6) 6-4 6-3
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) scored her first win since Roland Garros with a 7-6(6), 6-0 win over No.8 seed Christina McHale (USA)
Tatjana Maria (GER). Women’s second seed Kristina “Kiki” Mladenovic (FRA) had to fight off a strong challenge from Tatjana in three sets, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in a 2 1/2 hour match.
Nicolas Mahut (FRA) fought a tough match against Milos Raonic (CAN) before losing 7-6(2) 7-6(8)
Ryan Harrison (USA) lost a first round match to Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)
Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) defeated Ryan Harrison (USA) in the second round