Dan Evans through to Citi Open final with another impressive win, Stefanos Tsitsipas wins first title of 2023 in Mexico
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Updated 06/08/2023 at 09:30 GMT
Dan Evans beat Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets to advance to his first ATP 500 final at the Citi Open. The Brit will take on Tallon Griekspoor as he bids for just his second career title. On the women's side of the draw, Coco Gauff set up a showdown with Maria Sakkari after beating Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets. Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas ended his 14-month title drought in Mexico.
Highlights: Evans downs Dimitrov to reach Citi Open final in Washington
Dan Evans continued his resurgence with a stunning performance to beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-3 7-6(4) and book a place in his first ATP 500 final at the Citi Open.
The Brit hasn’t had the best of seasons but has the chance to flip the script and pick up just the second win of his career after a brilliant run in Washington.
Evans held firm against some early pressure from Dimitrov before a series of errors from the Bulgarian handed his opponent the first set.
The second was a lot tighter. Dimitrov opened up two break points in the first game but failed to produce on the big points and crack the Evans serve.
Neither player could earn an elusive break, but Evans got the job done in the tie-break, winning a lengthy rally with a stunning drop shot at 5-4 and sealing the win with a trademark volley.
After beating Alexander Shevchenko and Frances Tiafoe in the same day to set up the clash with Dimitrov, Evans was understandably delighted with his performance.
"It was so hard after yesterday putting in such a big effort," Evans said.
"Coming back today, it was really important for me to not roll over and have a bad performance. The last few months, that is what has happened a little bit."
The 33-year-old will face Tallon Griekspoor, who stunned the No. 1 seed Taylor Fritz in three sets.
There were no signs of the upset that was to come in the first as Fritz served it out comfortably, before the Dutchman hit back in the second and went on to dominate the third to capture a 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory.
On the women’s side of the draw, Coco Gauff made light work of Liudmila Samsonova to advance to the final.
Gauff is the last American left with a chance at glory in Washington after beating Samsonova 6-3 6-3 to set up a showdown with Maria Sakkari, who ended the hopes of Jessica Pegula in three sets.
Pegula recovered from losing the opener to gain parity but was outplayed in the decider as Sakkari finished off a 6-3 4-6 6-2 win in style.
Tsitsipas wins first title of 2023
In the Las Cabos Open, Stefanos Tsitsipas ended his 14-month winning drought, defeating Alex de Minaur 6-3 6-4 in Mexico.
Not since the Mallorca Open in June 2022 had the Greek tasted success, but he put that right with a brilliant display against De Minaur.
The world No. 5 took the first set 6-3 and broke early in the second before the Australian pulled level in the sixth game.
But Tsitsipas wouldn’t be denied and served out for the match after breaking to lead 5-4.
“I feel like both of us wanted to go out on the court today and show a great final,” Tsitsipas said in his on-court interview.
“I feel like it was a great match. Alex showed great tennis, I tried to keep up with the level as much as I could.
“I’m really happy we were able to deliver a great final today. I think that is the thing that stands out the most. It was a great match and the crowd, as always, was fully present and engaged.”
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