Citi Open: Karatsev sends Kiwi packing, reaches second round

Russian Aslan Karatsev defeated New Zealander qualifier Kiranpal Pannu 7-6 (3), 6-1 to reach the second round of the Citi Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center in Washington on Monday evening.

Pannu, who is without a main draw win this year, defeated Americans Denis Kudla and Bruno Kuzuhara in qualifying. Aslan Karatsev proved to be a bridge to far, however, as the world No 717 folded in the second set.

Karatsev, ranked No 75, will face second seed Frances Tiafoe next.

Washington ATP500, other first-round results (Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, hard, USD 2.013.940, most recent results first):

• Kevin Anderson vs. Jordan Thompson
• Lloyd Harris vs. Kei Nishikori
• Aleksandar Vukic vs. Brandon Nakashima
• Zachary Svajda vs. Max Purcell
• Taro Daniel vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis
• Gael Monfils vs. Bjorn Fratangelo
• Shintaro Mochizuki vs. Gregoire Barrere
• Mackenzie McDonald vs. Diego Schwartzman
• Corentin Moutet vs. Liam Broady
• Marcos Giron vs. Radu Albot
• Michael Mmoh beat Bradley Klahn (Q): 6-3, 6-3
• Yosuke Watanuki beat Yibing Wu: 1-4 ret.
• Alexander Shevchenko beat Maxime Cressy: 6-3, 7-6 (8)
• Juncheng Shang (Q) beat Emilio Gomez: 6-3, 6-3
• Emil Ruusuvuori beat Constant Lestienne: 6-4, 6-4

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