Dan Evans, the British number two, achieved a monumental career milestone by capturing the Citi Open title in Washington after defeating Tallon Griekspoor in a gripping final. The 33-year-old tennis ace displayed remarkable form throughout the tournament, having dropped just one set en route to the final.
In an impressive journey to the title, Evans overcame formidable opponents such as Grigor Dimitrov, Frances Tiafoe, Alexander Shevchenko, and Gregoire Barrere. Prior to this victory, Evans had been grappling with a seven-match losing streak at the highest level of the sport.
The intense final between Evans and Griekspoor saw both players fiercely competing for the upper hand. It wasn’t until the pivotal 12th game of the first set that Evans seized the opportunity, capitalizing on Griekspoor’s unforced errors to break his serve.
As the second set unfolded, Mother Nature added to the drama, delaying the match for an hour and a half due to storms. However, once the action resumed, Evans demonstrated his tenacity and skill, taking advantage of Griekspoor’s double faults to establish a 5-3 lead.
The British star faced a nerve-wracking moment while serving for the Championship, as he encountered four break points. However, Evans showcased admirable resilience and nerves of steel, fending off all of Griekspoor’s attempts to level the score. In a thrilling climax, Griekspoor’s final backhand return landed in the net, sealing Evans’s victory.
With this triumph, Dan Evans adds another illustrious title to his name, building on his maiden career title from the 2021 Murray River Open. Remarkably, he becomes the first British man in two decades to win the Citi Open, following in the footsteps of Tim Henman’s victory in 2003.
