(Washington) Returning from knee trouble, Félix Auger-Aliassime was defeated 7-6 (10), 7-6 (3) by Yosuke Watanuki at the Citi Open on Wednesday.
Third seed and 12th at the ATP, the 22-year-old Quebecer was defeated in two hours and 27 minutes by the 25-year-old Japanese, ranked 99th in the world.
In a no-break match, Watanuki had a 32-19 advantage in game-winning shots, including the game-ending one, a brilliant backhand from the baseline.
The Japanese took control once the score was 3-3 in the second deadlock breaker.
Auger-Aliassime was playing his first match at this tournament, having earned a bye in the first round.
Slowed down by knee pain, he was also beaten in the first round at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, which were his two most recent tournaments.
In the round of 16, Watanuki will face 13th seed Ugo Humbert.
Third seed in the women’s division, American Coco Gauff is featured in the evening, against qualifier Hailey Baptiste.
In another American duel, the seventh seed Madison Keys will face Jennifer Brady.
Sixth-seeded Belinda Bencic edged USA’s Lauren Davis 6-1, 6-4.
Gabriela Dabrowksi of Ottawa and Shuko Aoyama of Japan won 6-3, 6-2 over Erin Routliffe and Ingrid Neel.
Thursday afternoon, Quebecer Leylah Fernandez will be in action against the Greek Maria Sakkari, seeded fourth. The Lavalloise ranks 21st in the WTA.
