Juan Martin del Potro captured his third Citi Open title in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, defeating Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge leader John Isner, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, to move into second place behind Isner in the Bonus Challenge standings. 

 

The win gives del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, his fourth singles title on the Emirates Airline US Open Series, tying him with Andy Murray for the third all-time in the 10-year history of the Series. It was also his 14th consecutive win at the Citi Open; del Potro won the event in 2008 and 2009 but has not played the previous three years.

 

The match was the first for the Argentine since falling in five sets to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals at Wimbledon, during which he played through a hyperextended knee.

 

"I'm surprised to win this tournament," del Potro told the Associated Press after Sunday’s match.

 

For Isner, the loss snapped a nine-match winning streak dating back to last week’s BB&T Atlanta Open, which he won for his seventh career ATP World Tour title. Afterward he credited del Potro and his lethal forehand, calling him one of the favorites for the 2013 US Open.

 

"His forehand is widely regarded as maybe the best in the world," Isner said. "I couldn't do anything about it. I actually wasn't really surprised. I've seen him do that a lot of times. That's what he does. He's got a lot of talent, and a lot of talent on that forehand side."