Another year, another
Citi Open, right?
Wrong. This year's tournament features two top-5 stars (
Andy Murray &
Kei Nishikori) and eight (yes,
8!) of the top-10 men's doubles teams in the world. That's a lot to digest; but before the main entrees, come the appetizers... and there were plenty of tasty starters on the menu for yesterday's opening day qualifiers at
Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.
Tops on the list... former Virginia Cavalier (and reigning NCAA Men's Singles champ)
Ryan Shane, who lost a three-set battle on Stadium Court to Columbian
Alejandro González 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. The day also featured its fair share of marathons, none longer than a 3+ hour thriller between
Takuto Niki and
Sekou Bangoura, won by Niki 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-5 (7.) All told, there were 20 singles matches (12 Men's, 8 Women's) and two doubles. Quantity
and quality.
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| NCAA champ Ryan Shane |
Earlier in the week, the woman's draw lost two of its two biggest names (
Victoria Azarenka &
Eugenie Bouchard) but still has American
Sloane Stephens, defending champion
Svetlana Kuznetsova and top-seed
Ekaterina Makarova, in addition to a number of fan favorites (
Madison Brengle,
Taylor Townsend.) Yesterday's highlight? A three-set affair between
An-Sophie Mestach and
Hiroko Kuwata that lasted almost 2½ hours. Mestach prevailed 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-1.
Play resumes today at 10 AM with day two of qualifying, followed by tomorrow's main draw (through Sunday's finals.)
Click here to purchase single session/daily tickets online; or visit the Citi Open Box Office outside the main entrance.
Click here for yesterday's results.
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| Jordi Arconada |
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| Not all the action took place outside |
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| Who's hungry? |
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| Get your serve on at Speed Serve |
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| This is how you watch TV |
