Citi Open, Washington, D.C. (USA)

Women’s Championship: [62] Camila Giorgi (ITA) vs. [79] Jessica Pegula (USA)

It was a comprehensive dismal of her opponent by the twenty-five-year-old American. Contesting her second WTA tour singles final, Jessica Pegula was sharp and focused from the very first ball. She broke her opponent (15-40) in her first service game. Giorgi never regained her focus after the early break and was broken again in the seventh game. Pegula served well and won over ninety percent of her first serves and over fifty percent of her second serve. The American never gave her opponent an opportunity to break her serve.

Giorgi Undone By Forced Errors

The struggles continued for Giorgi in the second set as she dropped her first service game again to go down the early break. She had one opportunity to potentially change the momentum in her favor, but she could not capitalize.  Pegula managed her nerves much better than Giorgi and although there was a little wobble, there was never any doubt she would win the title. She played with the composure of a well-seasoned veteran and secured the 6-2, 6-2 victory to claim her first WTA tour singles title.

Men’s Championship: [10] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs. [52] Nick Kyrgios (AUS)

In their only meeting, earlier this year, Medvedev lost in three sets to the Australian; thus, he knew today would be a battle. Today’s encounter showcased the serving ability of both players, and it was only fitting that the first set went to a tiebreak. Medvedev served seventy-two percent on his first serve and won eighty-seven percent of those serves; while Kyrgios served seventy percent on his first serve and won eighty-five percent of those serves.

Medvedev Failed To Capitalize

Plagued by back issues from the middle of the first set, Kyrgios did well to hang in the first set. The Australian had the advantage of hitting the ball bigger than his opponent and it came to his rescue in the tiebreak. Down two mini breaks in the tiebreak, his ability to hit the ball hard kept him in a long rally that allowed him to use a drop shot to get back on even terms. Medvedev was perfect on his second serve until that crucial set point when he sent a forehand long to lose the tiebreak (pressure compounded to rattle his nerves).

Back Injury Did Not Stop Kyrgios

A medical timeout was finally taken by the Australian after he secured the first set and immediately prior to the start of the second set. Kyrgios looked none the worse for his back issues in his first service game and he played better as the set progressed, which was lethal for the Russian. Neither player seemed willing to concede the set without a fight and another tiebreak was required. Dominant serving by the Aussie won him the match 7-6(6), 7-6(4). Unfortunately for Medvedev, he never lost his serve, but he lost the match in what must be a very frustrating loss for him.

SOURCE OF IMAGES: Zimbio.com (main image: Elsa/Getty Images North America-Jessica Pegula)