Schedule / Preview 2024 DC Open Washington Day Four - Thursday 1 August including Azarenka, Shelton, Tiafoe, Jabeur and Rublev

Thursday, 01 August 2024 at 11:30

The schedule has been confirmed for Day Four at the 2024 DC Open Washington (Mubadala Citi DC Open for sponsorship reasons). The Last 16 is the name of the game on Thursday 1 August and our preview looks ahead to the action.

Victoria Azarenka, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Andrey Rublev are among those hoping to reach the Quarter-Finals over the next day in Washington.

Shelton, Azarenka, Tiafoe and Jabeur headline Stadium

Starting off proceedings will be Denis Shapovalov who will face off against Miomir Kecmanovic who is the 12th seed. It was a late addition to the Canadian's schedule for match practice with Adrian Mannarino being defeated last round.

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Mannarino decided to skip the Olympic Games in favour of match practice and has been a bit of an unmitigated disaster for the Frenchman. But one that the Canadian thrived on with Kecmanovic now up next. Victoria Azarenka follows on. It was a tough route through her opener.

She saw off Hailey Baptiste in two tie-breaks to set up a clash with Yafan Wang. The former World No.1 though has not played prior to this since June having had a shoulder injury which like her compatriot Aryna Sabalenka kept her out of Wimbledon. Then it is the turn of an American duo.

Ben Shelton turned up the showman style as he saw off Radu Albot on Wednesday and he will return again aiming to reach the Quarter-Finals. In his way like in the next match is a compatriot. Brandon Nakashima is his next opponent as Shelton will hope to continue to bring that flair. While Nakashima will hope to strike a hammer blow to his chances.

Speaking of confidence boosting, Frances Tiafoe who is now working with David Witt seems to have a fresh impetus. He is through and will face Aleksandar Kovacevic and for those who predict tournaments, Witt has taken both Pegula and Sakkari to finals in their first tournaments with him. Is Tiafoe next?

New coach, but will Witt's streak continue with Tiafoe.

Then it is Ons Jabeur. She bizarrely decided not to play the Olympic Games and still seems to be struggling with injury. But is instead chasing ranking points in the coming weeks instead. Whether that gamble pays off is an interesting one but she has already had to withdraw from doubles with Paula Badosa with injury so is definitely not 100%. She faces Robin Montgomery.

Speaking of Badosa, she is in one of the leading matches on John Harris. Alex Michelsen, Marie Bouzkova and top seed Andrey Rublev also lead the schedule. Badosa faces Liudmila Samsonova in a top tie. While Davidovich Fokina faces Flavio Cobolli to start which could certainly be an entertaining foray. But oddly two matches that could be even more entertaining sit on outside courts.

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Sebastian Korda will face Aussie showman, Thanasi Kokkinakis. While rising French serve god, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard will face the ever consistent Jordan Thompson. Both of those are treats on outside courts as the Quarter-Final line-up starts to take shape. Ironically too with Korda, he won't leave his court.

He plays singles then likely plays doubles on the same court straight afterwards with Michelsen against Purcell and Thompson. Quite hilarious scheduling.

Recent Winners and Notable Past Champions

Men's Singles:

2023: Daniel Evans defeated Tallon Griekspoor (7-5, 6-3).
2022: Nick Kyrgios defeated Yoshihito Nishioka (6-4, 6-3).
2019: Nick Kyrgios defeated Daniil Medvedev (7-6(6), 7-6(4)).

Andre Agassi holds the record for the most titles at this tournament, with five wins (1990-91, 1995, 1998-99).

Women's Singles:

2023: Coco Gauff defeated Maria Sakkari (6-2, 6-3).
2022: Liudmila Samsonova defeated Kaia Kanepi (4-6, 6-3, 6-3).
2019: Jessica Pegula defeated Camila Giorgi (6-2, 6-2).

Magdalena Rybarikova has been a notable champion, winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.

Historical Significance and Impact

The tournament has been a platform for many prominent tennis players, including Ken Rosewall, Jimmy Connors, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Andy Roddick, and the Williams sisters. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments in tennis, with a history dating back to its founding by Ashe, Donald Dell, and John A. Harris.