John Isner’s hopes of winning a third consecutive title on the ATP Tour has come to an end after he was forced to withdraw from the Citi Open in Washington.
The American world No.18 has pulled out of the competition due to a sore knee. During last week’s Atlanta Open Isner was seen wearing tape on his right knee and appeared to be in discomfort during the final. Still, he was able to clinch his fourth Atlanta title by defeating Ryan Harrison in two tie breakers. The triumph occurred a week after after he won the Newport title, where he didn’t drop a set in the tournament.
Disappointed to have withdrawn from the @CitiOpen this year. Unfortunately, I’m just not quite fit enough for it this year. I’ll be back!
— John Isner (@JohnIsner) 31 July 2017
On the first day of the competition, there was a trio of wins for the Next Generation contingent. 21-year-old Daniil Medvedev endured a two-and-a-half-hour tussle with Reilly Opelka before prevailing 6-7(8), 6-3, 7-6(6). During the encounter, Medvedev overcame an injury scare after twisting his ankle in the third set. He will next play 14th seed Steve Johnson.
Jared Donaldson battled from behind to defeat Israel’s Dudi Sela 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-3. The encounter was as much of a mental battle as a physical one. During the opening set, he failed to convert four consecutive set points in the tiebreaker.
“My first inclination—or most people’s first inclination—is to go over to their bag and break all their racquets, and then just walk off the court right?” Donaldson told TENNIS.com. “But then I thought about it for a moment, and thought that’s not productive… Let’s figure out how to win this match. I felt like there was a lot of room in my game to be able to improve.”
Donaldson will next face lucky loser Marc Polmans, who replaces Isner in the draw.
Tommy Paul’s route into the second round came at the expense of his opponent. Facing Norway’s Casper Ruud, the American sealed the win when his rival retired 3-0 down in the final set. According to the ATP, Rudd retired due to dizziness and headaches caused by dehydration.
Elsewhere at the tournament, Switzerland’s Henri Laaksonen will be the first player to face top seed Dominic Thiem. The the 25-year-old outlasted Canada’s Vasek Pospisil 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-3. Donald Young also progressed after defeating compatriot Tim Smyczek in three sets.
Full list of results
Donald Young (U.S.) beat Tim Smyczek (U.S.) 4-6 6-3 6-4
Daniil Medvedev (Russia) beat Reilly Opelka (U.S.) 6-7(8) 6-3 7-6(6)
Nicolas Mahut (France) beat Thomas Fabbiano (Italy) 6-1 7-6(3)
Yuki Bhambri (India) beat Stefan Kozlov (U.S.) 7-5 2-0 (Kozlov retired)
Tommy Paul (U.S.) beat Casper Ruud (Norway) 3-6 7-5 3-0 (Ruud retired)
Guido Pella (Argentina) beat Ramkumar Ramanathan (India) 6-4 6-1
Jared Donaldson (U.S.) beat Dudi Sela (Israel) 6-7(6) 6-4 6-3
Marius Copil (Romania) beat Sekou Bangoura (U.S.) 6-4 7-6(1)
Lukas Lacko (Slovakia) beat Alexios Halebian (U.S.) 6-3 6-4
Henri Laaksonen (Switzerland) beat Vasek Pospisil (Canada) 6-7(7) 6-4 6-3
