Yuki Bhambri knocks out defending champion Gael Monfils at ATP Citi Open
Washington: India's Yuki Bhambri produced one of the best performances of his career and stunned world No.22 and defending champion Gael Monfils in a tough three-setter to enter the third round of the ATP Citi Open, here.
Bhambri, who had qualified for the main draw of the ATP 500 tournament, took one hour and 51 minutes to register the 6-3 4-6 7-5 upset win over the sixth-seeded Frenchman to enter the round of 16.
"This is what every tennis player dreams of. This is where every tennis player wants to be," Bhambri said. "It's a huge confidence booster for me to know that I belong here. I can compete with the best."
Bhambri connected on 72 percent of first serves in the opening set, winning 16 of 18 points on his first serve, and lifted his level in the third set, taking of 20-of-23 first serve points.
Speaking about his victory Bhambri said “Definitely one of the biggest wins of my career,". "I hung in there and fought my way through. It gives me a lot of confidence going into my next match."
Bhambri will next be up against Guido Pella of Argentina. Pella, who had shown the door to another Indian Ramkumar Ramanathan in the opening round, defeated Mischa Zverev of Germany 6-7(5) 7-6(2) 6-3 in the second round.
It was good news for India in the men's doubles as well with Rohan Bopanna and his partner Donald Young of USA overcoming their opening hurdle. Wildcard entrants Bopanna and Young shrugged off the challenge of Canadian Daniel Nestor and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan in straight sets.
Bopanna and Young hardly broke a sweat to get the better of Nestor and Qureshi 6-2 6-3 to seal their place in the quarterfinals of the USD 1,750,080 event. However, a Herculean task awaits Bopanna and Young as they take on fourth-seeded American brothers, Bob and Mike Bryan in the quarterfinals.
