25-year-old Yuki Bhambri stunned the tennis world when he defeated ATP Citi Open champion & World no.22 Gael Monfils 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.
Yuki Bhambri had set up the second round clash with world number 22 and defending champion Gael Monfils after his first round opponent had to retire. With this win, Bhambri, who is ranked at 200, has qualified for the pre-quarterfinals.
Bhambri, who entered the Citi Open as a qualifier, finds himself in elite company in the ATP 500 event after getting the better of the 2016 US Open semi-finalist, Monfils. The 25-year-old's potential opponents could be Dominic Thiem, Kevin Anderson, Alexander Zverev, Juan Martin del Potro or Kei Nishikori, should he progress past the third round.
Bhambri started well in the first set and won it 6-3 before Monfils mounted a comeback in the second set. The 30-year-old French star levelled things at the end of the second set by winning it 6-4 but couldn't have the last laugh as Bhambri sealed a tight third set 7-5 to register what was a historic win in his career.
Bhambri had said, “It hasn’t been ideal, yes. It’s difficult to sit on the sidelines, but I am in recovery, working with my coach, with physiotherapists, with medical professionals to help me overcome this, I hope to be back to playing soon.”
“It’s majorly a mental thing as well, that some people understand, yes, but a lot of people should know. When Andy won his Wimbledon title, when Milos Raonic went up to give his speech, they all thanked their entire team. The mental aspect is so important. You need your team behind you, encouraging you, egging you on, keeping your spirits up as you work. That is incredibly important.”
With his win, Bhambri is the only qualifier remaining at the Citi Open. However, things aren’t getting any easier for the 25-year-old as the top five seeds have all made it through to the third round.
Bhambri's next match is scheduled for tomorrow & if he beats Pella, the Indian will face either top seed Thiem or the 15th seeded Anderson.
The Citi Open is a hard court tournament held in Washington DC.
Lets look how twitter reacted to this -
Huge win for World No. 200 @yukibhambri ?? as he knocks out defending @CitiOpen champ Gael Monfils ?? 6-3 4-6 7-5 for best career win! pic.twitter.com/jy1Inm2Xn9
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) August 3, 2017
#200 Yuki Bhambri of India stuns defending Washington champ Gael Monfils 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Biggest win of the guy's pro career, by far.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 3, 2017
it takes a lot to get a crowd to root for Not-Gael Monfils, but Yuki Bhambri did it. big upset had every ?? in the stadium all riled up pic.twitter.com/eo4FYwKatT
— giri ? (@girinathan) August 3, 2017
Astonishing! @YukiBhambri forehand on the run *just* catches the baseline.#CO17 pic.twitter.com/h4jNByVM3B
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 3, 2017
World No.200 @YukiBhambri takes out defending @CitiOpen champion Monfils in stunning fashion! #CO17 pic.twitter.com/xazooLVxST
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 3, 2017
Big result- Yuki Bhambri has beaten Monfils in Washington
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 3, 2017
Perfect passing shot from @yukibhambri ?
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 3, 2017
Giving Monfils a hard time out there today...#CO17 pic.twitter.com/P1Qpfv2RTD
News Flash: Yuki Bhambri knocks OUT defending champion & 6th seed Monfils 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 to storm into Pre-QF #citiopen (ATP 500).yupeeeeee pic.twitter.com/TS2JejUkTA
— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) August 3, 2017
"I just played the right points at the right time"@yukibhambri on that incredible win against Gael Monfils. #CO17 pic.twitter.com/kV5Gk9e4Gu
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 3, 2017
He's done it !!! @yukibhambri upsets 6th seed Gael Monfils 6-3 4-6 7-5 in R2 of the @CitiOpen !!
— Indian Tennis Daily (@IndTennisDaily) August 3, 2017
#Indias @yukibhambri shocks DC as he takes down defending champion and world no 22 #GaelMonfils in the Citi Open! great day for ?! pic.twitter.com/clFH8fkLp9
— AdityaGurwara (@adityagurwara) August 3, 2017