ATP 500 Citi Open: Dan Evans captures second career title

With an 8-18 record on the main tour this year and in the throes of a 7-match main tour losing streak that hadn’t seen him win since April 21, by no means was Dan Evans supposed to make a deep run at the Citi Open. The writing was on the wall for the 33-year-old Brit to exit early, until, well, it wasn’t.

Just as he had done last year, when he made a semifinals appearance in the ATP Masters 1000 Canada, Evans saved his best tennis for the month of August. In winning the Citi Open, Evans captured his second-ever ATP title and for good measure reached a new career high in ranking, jumping eight spots to number 21 in the world.

The talented Brit was brilliant all week, displaying his effective defense against Frances Tiafoe, before taking down an always-tough opponent in Grigor Dimitrov, in a second set that lasted 75 minutes. Just look at this drop-shot to set up match point.

Dan Evans captures Citi Open title, capping off thriller week

Then, when push came to shove and Evans had to face a red-hot Tallon Griekspoor who had won 11 out of his last 13 matches, the Brit remained un-phased, breaking the Dutchman at 6-5 to capture the first set.

Then, after a grueling rain delay, Evans came back and took care of business as usual, ensuring his opponent wouldn’t have the opportunity to play for a final set.

What does this mean for Dan Evans?

For Dan Evans, this is the biggest title of his career. In winning this week, Evans gets a much-needed boost in confidence just in time for the final slam of the year. Given what he accomplished last August, this is about the best we could hope for from a veteran player who was struggling mightily on tour with form before this week.