Citi Open 2014: (North) Americans Storm into Men’s Quarter-Finals in DC

Americans John Isner and Sam Querrey were expected to perform well in the nation’s capital.  Sadly, neither player was able to make into the third round of the Citi Open.

Thankfully, their compatriots Donald Young and Steve Johnson are carrying the banner for fans of American tennis. 

Donald and Stevie both beat seeded players to move on to the quarter-finals in Washington, DC.  Stevie served as a giant killer, knocking out the ninth-seeded Ivo Karlovic.  Donald prevailed over Denis Istomin, the fifteenth seed, in three sets.

Our Canadian friends Milos Raonic and Vasek Pospisil also made the final eight at the Citi Open.  After winning the Wimbledon doubles trophy in early July, Pospisil continued his breakthrough summer in DC.  Vavek played aggressively to dispatch ATP World no. 5 Tomas Berdych in straight sets on Wednesday night.

Tomas Berdych v Vasek Pospisil. Berdych lost the set 6-2 pic.twitter.com/2fbL6ccwvK
— GlamSpinTennis (@GlamSpinTennis) August 1, 2014

Milos defeated Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (3).

After the match, Milos credited his booming serve with getting him out of trouble during key points in the match, “I know that if I am struggling, [I] take care of [my] serve because I can always pick up free points…I sort feel like its gives me a little bit of an edge, the fact that I can finish with that one shot,” said Raonic.  He added, “It’s nice knowing that in an important moment that if I hit my serve well that’s normally going to give me an ace or a free point.”

Raonic anticipates a difficult QF match against Johnson on Friday evening in DC, “He couldn’t have had any better preparation to face me.  He’s fac[ed] the top three Ace leaders and leaders in the serving categories, so, it’s going to be very difficult,” said Raonic.

Milos also took some time to discuss his recent practice session with Serena Williams.  He described practicing with her as, “interesting and fun and a completely different experience.” Milos had the opportunity to hit with Serena in Toronto in preparation for the upcoming Rogers Cup.  

Highlight of today. Getting to see @serenawilliams @milosraonic & #DanielNestor practice on centre court #RogersCupTO pic.twitter.com/tQxEvyL18n
— Rogers Cup Toronto (@rogerscupto) July 25, 2014

Milos further admitted that Serena played better than expected, “I thought there would be a bit more of a difference from the center of the court from a guy’s racquet to and from a women’s racquet,” he said.