Murray vs. Fritz Blockbuster Postponed By Rain In D.C.
The biggest match was saved for last on Thursday at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, but the wait will now continue until Friday after rain caused an early end to play at the ATP 500.
The blockbuster Round of 16 matchup between top seed Taylor Fritz and 15th seed Andy Murray, scheduled for last on Washington's stadium court, was set to follow local favourite Frances Tiafoe's meeting with Chinese qualifier Shang Juncheng. Neither showdown got underway due to wet conditions in the United States capital and both have now been pushed to Friday.
Fritz and Murray are scheduled for a not before 2 p.m. start on the stadium court, followed by Tiafoe vs. Shang. Double duty will be required for the respective winners, with a Friday evening match the reward for progress to the quarter-finals. View the full order of play below.
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Before the rain, three ATP Tour singles matches and two men's doubles contests were completed. Fifth seed Grigor Dimitrov began Thursday's play on the show court with a 6-4, 6-3 victory against Emil Ruusuvuori, while J.J. Wolf was a 6-4, 7-6(5) winner against Michael Mmoh and Ugo Humbert secured a 6-0, 6-2 result against Yosuke Watanuki on John Harris Court.
Two men's singles matches were suspended: Aussie Jordan Thompson leads 11th seed Christopher Eubanks 5-2, while 12th seed Tallon Griekspoor leads Gael Monfils 6-4, 1-6, 1-0.
The American duo of Mackenzie McDonald and Ben Shelton joined Belgians Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen as the two doubles winners on the day, with both teams advancing to the semi-finals.
ORDER OF PLAY - FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2023
STADIUM start 12:00 pm
WTA - [1] J. Pegula (USA) vs [WC] E. Svitolina (UKR)
Not Before 2:00 pm
Third Round - ATP - [1] T. Fritz (USA) vs [15] A. Murray (GBR)
Third Round - ATP - [Q] J. Shang (CHN) vs [2] F. Tiafoe (USA), 0-0
Not Before 7:00 PM
WTA - [6] B. Bencic (SUI) vs [3] C. Gauff (USA)
Quarter-finals - TBA - ATP - A. Shevchenko or [9] D. Evans (GBR) vs [Q] J. Shang (CHN) or [2] F. Tiafoe (USA)
JOHN HARRIS start 12:00 pm
WTA - [4] M. Sakkari (GRE) vs [Q] L. Fernandez (CAN)
Not Before 2:00 pm
Third Round - ATP - [11] C. Eubanks (USA) vs J. Thompson (AUS), 2-5
Not Before 2:30 PM
WTA - [8] L. Samsonova vs M. Kostyuk (UKR)
After Suitable Rest
WTA - M. Sakkari (GRE) or L. Fernandez (CAN) vs [7] M. Keys (USA)
Quarter-finals - TBA - ATP - [1] T. Fritz (USA) or [15] A. Murray (GBR) vs [11] C. Eubanks (USA) or J. Thompson (AUS)
GRANDSTAND start 12:00 noon
Semi-finals - ATP - [WC] M. McDonald (USA) / B. Shelton (USA) vs [3] L. Glasspool (GBR) / H. Heliovaara (FIN)
Not Before 2:00 pm
Third Round - ATP - [12] T. Griekspoor (NED) vs [WC] G. Monfils (FRA), 6-4, 1-6, 1-0
Not Before 3:00 pm
Third Round - ATP - A. Shevchenko vs [9] D. Evans (GBR), 0-0
Not Before 5:00 pm
Quarter-finals - ATP - [5] G. Dimitrov (BUL) vs [13] U. Humbert (FRA)
Quarter-finals - ATP - [16] J. Wolf (USA) vs [12] T. Griekspoor (NED) or [WC] G. Monfils (FRA)
COURT 4 start 12:00 pm
WTA - [OSE] L. Siegemund (GER) / V. Zvonareva vs L. Kichenok (UKR) / N. Kichenok (UKR)
WTA - A. Guarachi (CHI) / M. Niculescu (ROU) vs [2] S. Aoyama (JPN) / G. Dabrowski (CAN)