Citi Open: Hometown favourite Tiafoe beats Karatsev to reach last 16
The second seeded American will face Chinese qualifier Juncheng Shang in the next round
American Frances Tiafoe, the second seed, moved into the last 16 of the Citi Open by defeating Russian Aslan Karatsev 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center in Washington on Tuesday night.
Tiafoe, ranked No 10 in the world, will face Chinese qualifier Juncheng Shang next. The American was cheered on by the local crowd which included American basketball star Kevin Durant in the stands.
"He's just bringing that energy from this area… we're all proud of him."
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 2, 2023
NBA legend @KDTrey5 with some love for @FTiafoe at @mubadalacitidc 🤩 pic.twitter.com/bjtwZIvaVc
In the previous round of the Washington D.C. tournament, Karatsev, ranked No 75, won against New Zealander qualifier Kiranpal Pannu (7-6 (3), 6-1) while Tiafoe received a first round bye.
Washington ATP500, other second-round matches (Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, hard, USD 2,013,940):
- Emil Ruusuvuori beat Yoshihito Nishioka (10): 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2
- Michael Mmoh beat Hubert Hurkacz (4): 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4)
- Grigor Dimitrov (5) beat Mackenzie McDonald: 7-6 (6), 6-2
- Juncheng Shang beat Ben Shelton (14): 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
- Taylor Fritz vs. Zachary Svajda
- Gael Monfils vs. Alexander Bublik
- Brandon Nakashima vs. Andy Murray
- Tallon Griekspoor vs. Liam Broady
- Jordan Thompson vs. Adrian Mannarino
- Gregoire Barrere vs. Daniel Evans
- Yosuke Watanuki vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Christopher Eubanks vs. Sho Shimabukuro
- Ugo Humbert vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis
- Radu Albot vs. J.J. Wolf
- Sebastian Korda vs. Alexander Shevchenko