Washington: Yuki Bhambri extended his good run at the ATP Citi Open tennis tournament here by entering the singles quarterfinals with a come-from-behind win over Argentina’s Guido Pella here Thursday. Currently ranked 200, Bhambri eked out a 6-7(5-7), 6-3, 6-1 win over Pella, who is ranked exactly 100 places above him in the ATP singles chart.
It is for the first time that Bhambri has won three matches in the main draw of an ATP World Tour event. This will be only the second appearance for Bhambri in the singles quarterfinals of an ATP event, his first being a last eight appearance at the Chennai Open in 2014.
By sealing a quarterfinal berth, Bhambri has already assured himself of 90 points and a prize purse of $44,595. These points should help him get close to 150 or slightly better when the new rankings are issued Monday.
“I’d like to break back into the top 100 by the end of the year and play as many big events as possible,” Bhambri said. “Hopefully I can win a few more matches here.”
Bhambri will next meet South African Kevin Anderson. The latter saved a match point en route to beating top seed Dominic Thiem of Australia 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (9/7) in a thriller that lasted two hours and 46 minutes.
Anderson has never shared a court with Bhambri except in workouts. “I’ve practiced with him before but that was a few years ago. He comes in and attacks. It’s a challenge,” Anderson said. “If I’m taking care of business on my side of the ball, then I give myself the best chance,” he added.
Agencies
