Britain's Dan Evans claims the biggest title of his career with 7-5 6-3 victory against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in final of the Citi Open in Washington I watch the US Open - live on Sky Sports - from Monday, August 28
Monday 7 August 2023 14:29, UK
Dan Evans claimed the biggest title of his career with a straight-sets victory over Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in a rain-interrupted final of the Citi Open in Washington.
The 33-year-old from Birmingham overcame both his high-flying opponent and a rain delay as he secured his first ATP 500 crown - and just his second Tour victory - with a 7-5 6-3 win.
Victory in the capital made him the first Briton to win the title since Tim Henman in 2003 and lifted him nine places to No 21 in the ATP rankings, setting him up for a new career high.
"I wasn't playing very well and I wasn't happy with my game. To do the work I've done and to stick with it and come through is [amazing]," said Evans. "The last game sort of summed up my week. I got out of trouble and it was an amazing week. I really appreciate all the support."
The opening set stayed on serve, with Griekspoor, who was chasing his third title of the season, saving two break points in the fourth game to hold.
Evans held to love to lead 5-4, and then had to change his racket during the next game after breaking a string.
A long return from Griekspoor then handed Evans another break chance and set point, which was saved by a booming ace from the Dutchman who then levelled things up at 5-5.
Griekspoor, who had knocked out top seed Taylor Fritz in the semi-final, then found himself 15-40 down on his next serve after a fine passing shot from Evans.
With the pressure on, a wayward return into the net from Griekspoor handed the Briton the opening set in 50 minutes.
With the second set tied at 1-1 and Evans 30-love up in the third game, play was suspended as rain began to fall. It proved, though, only a brief delay and the players did not leave the court before the match resumed.
However, Swedish umpire Mohamed Lahyani was soon again out of his chair as the drizzle continued - with Evans, leading 2-1, looking less than impressed as he sat under an umbrella for another few minutes before play was allowed to continue.
Griekspoor levelled things up on serve, but the players were forced off because of a lightning warning in the area.
Play was suspended again just before 6.30pm local time, this time looking set for a more lengthy delay and with spectators also having to leave the stadium.
The players and spectators finally returned to court more than 90 minutes later, where Evans resumed right where he left off.
He cruised through his remaining service games and dictated play on return, not facing a break point until his final game on serve.
But Evans held his nerve, saving four break point opportunities before claiming victory with a service winner.
Evans entered the event on a seven-match losing streak but won 10 straight sets en route to the title, eclipsing second seed Frances Tiafoe and fifth seed Grigor Dimitrov in the process.
Reflecting on his change in fortunes, Evans told reporters: "Last week I lost (against Dominik Koepfer in Atlanta), having three match points, served for the match.
"You try not to let emotions get in the way when you're in the tournament. I was confident after the second round that I was playing well but I had to keep telling myself it was match by match and not so long ago I wasn't playing great.
"It was really only the grass I didn't play well. I played well in Barcelona on the clay and then I had some rough matches which I didn't get the best out of. I lost in three (sets) a few times or tight matches.
"Then I was playing well and I just couldn't get over the line. That's where you lean on your team to keep you working hard and training and practising hard.
"It's especially good to get the outcome I got this week. But I said to myself once I got into the semis that that was a good effort and then I sort of reset and wanted to win the tournament."
It is Evans' first ATP title since Melbourne in 2021 who is a tantalising four points short of breaking the top 20 for the first time in his career but will need arguably an even better showing at the National Bank Open in Toronto this week to achieve that having reach the semi-finals of the Masters 1000 event 12 months ago.
Evans faces Canadian wild card Gabriel Diallo in the opening round and could meet British No 1 Cameron Norrie in round two.
Coco Gauff won the fourth WTA Tour singles title of her career with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Maria Sakkari in the women's final in Washington.
The American, 19, did not drop a set all week as she claimed her second trophy of the season, after the Auckland Classic in New Zealand back in January.
Gauff's record in finals is now 4-1, with her sole defeat coming against world No 1 Iga Swiatek at the French Open in 2022.
