India's Yuki Bhambri recorded the biggest win of his career on Wednesday, putting in a "nothing to lose" performance in defeating Frenchman Gael Monfils in the second round of the Citi Open in Washington DC.
Bhambri, ranked 200 in the world, got the better of World No. 22 and defending champion Monfils 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 in one hour, 51 minutes. Bhambri's win comes just over a month after Ramkumar Ramanathan, then ranked 222, beat World No. 8 Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-2 to enter the quarterfinals of the Antalya Open, a grasscourt event intended to serve as preparation for Wimbledon. Bhambri had defeated Italy's Fabio Fognini, then ranked 16, via retirement in 2014, but in terms of completed matches, this is the biggest win of the Indian's career.
In a post-match interview, Bhambri, when asked how he played so dominantly, said, "I think I took my chances, attacked when I had to, came to the net when I thought it was the right moment, and just played the right points at the right time, so I think that definitely paid off.
I had nothing to lose out there today, so I was pretty free and just went out there and had fun."
When even Monfils knew @YukiBhambri's performance was something else... #CO17 pic.twitter.com/c8Z70K8eEO
- Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 3 August 2017
Bhambri, who had to win a round of qualifying to enter the 64-player main draw, made the better start, making 72% of his first serves and winning 57% of his second-serve points to ensure he didn't have to face a single break point in the first set. Monfils, who made only 52% of his first deliveries and won 42% of second-serve points in comparison, had to face two break points, one of which was brought up by Bhambri at 3-4 with a running forehand passing shot. Bhambri converted one of his two chances and served out the opening set, winning 29 of the set's 50 points.
The second set was more competitive as the players traded breaks. Once again, Bhambri posted better numbers on his first serve but was blunted by Monfils' returning skills. The Indian won two out of his four break points but the Frenchman won all three of his opportunities, with the decisive one coming as Bhambri was broken serving to stay in the set at 4-5.
Astonishing! @YukiBhambri forehand on the run *just* catches the baseline.#CO17 pic.twitter.com/h4jNByVM3B
- Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 3 August 2017
Monfils, whose is known for his extraordinary athleticism, was more than matched on the day by Bhambri, who came up with a down-the-line forehand passing shot winner to get himself out of a tight spot at 3-3, 30-30 in the decider. The Indian imposed himself by using his serve to not give Monfils a single break point, and managed to convert one of the two chances he had, closing out the win with a big serve that Monfils could only return wide.
Bhambri will face Argentina's Guido Pella in the third round.