WASHINGTON: Alexander Zverev took advantage of late errors by Jordan Thompson during a third-set tiebreaker to advance to the third round of the Citi Open with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory Wednesday.
Leading 5-4 in the tiebreaker, Thompson put a routine backhand into the net and then double-faulted. The eighth-ranked Zverev put away the match with a cross-court forehand that the 75th-ranked Australian could not handle.
Zverev, a 20-year-old German, is a winner of three titles this year, two of them on clay.
“I’m just happy to get through that one. Seven to six in the third is always something very nice,” Zverev said. “You feel good about yourself. Hopefully I can do it better the next match.”
Tenth-ranked Milos Raonic of Canada, who beat Zverev in the fourth round of Wimbledon this year, also advanced, defeating Nicolas Mahut 7-6 (2), 7-6 (8). Raonic, the 2014 Citi Open champion, next faces veteran Marcos Baghdatis. They have not played each other in five years.
In the biggest upset of the tournament, Yuki Bhambri of India, a qualifier who came in with a career ATP record of 17-16, beat 22nd-ranked Gael Monfils of France, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Bhambri next faces Guido Pella, who upset Zverev’s older brother, Mischa.
“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.”
The Citi Open is a hard-court tuneup for the US Open, which starts Aug. 28.
On the women’s side, Oceane Dodin beat Sara Errani 6-3, 5-7, 6-1.
Sharapova pulls out of Toronto tilt with left arm injury
Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova withdrew Thursday from next week’s WTA Rogers Cup tournament in Toronto with a sore left forearm, Tennis Canada announced.
The move came a day after the former world No. 1 from Russia withdrew from the WTA event in Stanford, California, before a second-round match.
“I am so sorry to be missing the Rogers Cup this year,” Sharapova said. “I am so appreciative to the tournament for the wild card and my fans in Toronto for their support.
“I am disappointed that injury is keeping me from the tennis court once again and I will work as hard as I can to return to the game I love as soon as possible.”
The injury will cast further doubt over Sharapova’s participation at the US Open, the last Grand Slam event of the season which starts in New York on Aug. 28.
Due to her low ranking, Sharapova would also need a wild card to play in the main draw of the tournament.
Sharapova suffered the injury while playing in her first US match in more than two years, defeating American Jennifer Brady 6-1, 4-6, 6-0 in her Monday opener at Stanford.
She had not played in the US since March of 2015 due in part to a 15-month doping suspension for the use of meldonium.
“Toward the end of the Monday night’s match, I felt pain in my left forearm,” Sharapova said Wednesday. “After yesterday’s scan, the doctor has recommended I don’t risk further injury.”
Canadian 17-year-old Bianca Andreescu will receive the wildcard entry vacated by Sharapova.
“We wish Maria the best and hope she is able to return to the court 100 percent healthy soon,” said Karl Hale, Rogers Cup Toronto tournament director. “We know many of our fans were excited to see her play.”
Zverev and Raonic advance, Indian qualifier upsets Monfils
Zverev and Raonic advance, Indian qualifier upsets Monfils
