Dolgo Does DC

It took CitiOpen two-seed Alexandr Dolgopolov three sets and a lengthy rain delay, but he earned a tough victory over the tenacious Tommy Haas 6-7, 6-4, 6-1 yesterday in Washington. “The Dolgo” or as I call him, Mr. Slap Chop, won his first career ATP World Tour 500 event and he did it by beating one of the hottest players on the ATP tour right now. While he dropped the first set in a tiebreak, a set that was interrupted by a rain delay, he fought hard to break and take the second set. He then took a frustrated Haas to the cleaners in the third and waltzed his way to the title.

In order to get to the final, Dolgo beat Flavio Cipolla, Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, James Blake in a slugfest, and Sam Querrey in close one. Dolgo hasn’t had the finest year, but this victory makes it a whole lot better for him and he will have plenty of momentum going into the hardcourt season.

Haas, who lost his second straight ATP final, beat Michael Russell, Leonardo Mayer, Tobias Kamke and top seed Mardy Fish to reach the final.

–S. Kirby