The Swede got rid of the British 7-6 (8), 4-6 and 6-1 and will face Karatsev
Halep and Pegula advance in the women’s draw, where they are the main favorites
Swedish Mikael Ymer struck down Briton Andy Murray on Monday in the first round of the ATP 500 tournament in Washington, in which, on the WTA circuit, the Romanian Simona Halep and the American Jessica Pegula advanced steadily. Ymer, number 115 in the world ranking, beat Murray by 7-6(8), 4-6 and 6-1 in two hours and 51 minutes of play and ended the tournament for the Briton, double Wimbledon champion and career US Open winner. Murray did not appear to be in great shape and was slowed down by muscular problems, evident already in the first set, which prevented him from competing at his best. The Swede met Russian Aslan Karatsev, number 36 in the world, in the second round in a tournament in which fellow Russian Andrey Rublev is the participant with the highest ranking (8).
Rublev won three tournaments this year, in Dubai, Marseille and Belgrade, and will debut in Washington on Tuesday against the British Jack Draper, number 81 in the world, whom he won the only precedent, this year in Madrid. Draper made his debut with a 7-5, 6-2 win against American Stefan Kozlov, coming back from 2-5 down in the first set. Australian Nick Kyrgios, a finalist at Wimbledon, also competes in the Washington tournament, when he surrendered to Serbian Novak Djokovic, who will debut this Tuesday against American Marcos Giron.
In the female category, the Romanian debuted strongly Simona Halep, who beat the Spanish Cristina Bucsa 6-3 and 7-5, on his return to competition after losing in the semifinals at Wimbledon. Halep, number 16 in the WTA ranking, imposed her superior experience against Bucsa, number 123 in the world, and will meet in the second round with the winner of the match between the American Madison Brengle, number 61 in the world, and the Russian Anna Kalinskaya, number 71 of the WTA ranking.
The Romanian is looking for her second title of the season after Melbourne. In her role, her main obstacle is the American Jessica Pegulanumber 7 in the world and first favorite in Washington, where he started this Monday with a resounding victory by 6-2 and 6-2 before his compatriot Hailey Baptiste.
The day also marked the comeback of venus williams after almost a year of absence. The 42-year-old veteran lost 4-6, 6-1 and 6-4 against the Canadian Rebecca Marino in what was his first match since the tournament in Chicago last August.