Yuki Bhambri seems to be unstoppable in Washington. The Indian, ranked No 200 in the world, overcame odds once again to beat Guido Pella of Argentina 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1 and enter the quarterfinals of the ATP Citi Open on Thursday.
Bhambri, who entered the main draw of the ATP 500 tournament, has had a dream run so far, scalping higher ranked players, including the defending champion Gael Monfils in the second round Wednesday.
Pella, who had beaten Ramkumar Ramanathan in the first round, came into the match against Bhambri with giant-killing credentials of his own, having beaten Mischa Zverev.
Both the players started strongly in the match, holding serve. However, the Argentine World No 100, stepped it up in the tie-break to wrest the early advantage in the match.
{{/usCountry}}Both the players started strongly in the match, holding serve. However, the Argentine World No 100, stepped it up in the tie-break to wrest the early advantage in the match.
{{/usCountry}}But Bhambri took control from then on, breaking Pella’s serve almost at will to win the next two sets and progress into the quarterfinals where he will meet 15th seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa.
Anderson, world No 45, had overcome Dominic Thiem in the third round.
Meanwhile, in the doubles draw, Sania Mirza and Romanian partner Monica Niculescu beat Jamie Loeb and Ashley Weinhold of the US 6-3, 6-2 to progress into the third round.