Winning a title on the ATP World Tour is never easy. And the Shenzhen Open final proved no different for World No. 12 David Goffin on Sunday. But despite losing the second set after recovering from a 1-5 deficit to force a tie-break, the Belgian second seed bolstered his chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals by defeating fifth-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3. He earned his first title of the season in his third attempt, ending a six-final losing streak that began after winning his first two tour-level trophies (2014 Kitzbuhel d. Thiem, 2014 Metz d. Sousa). The victory helped Goffin strengthen his position in the Emirates ATP Race To London. He will now sit in 13th place,...
In 2015, Denis Istomin became the first player from Uzbekistan to lift an ATP World Tour trophy, when he prevailed in Nottingham. On Sunday, he added a second crown. Istomin kicked off the Asian swing in strong fashion, emerging as the champion of the Chengdu Open. The final concluded in unfortunate circumstances, as opponent Marcos Baghdatis was forced to retire with a back injury during the first set. Istomin was leading 3-2 when Baghdatis fell to the court and was unable to continue. "I know his situation, because I've had a lot of injuries," said Istomin. "I know the feeling and we are good friends, so my first thought was to help Marcos when I saw him go down. Of...
For a partnership formed just over a week ago, the Shenzhen Open worked out well for the duo of Rajeev Ram and Alexander Peya, who beat top-seeded Nikola Mektic and Nicholas Monroe 6-3, 6-2 to win the title in their first tournament playing together. “It was an unbelievable week for me, I guess for both of us,” said Peya. “Luckily I was able to find such a great one [partner] and it worked out perfect for us." Peya's usual partner, Julian Knowle, suffered an injury last week in St. Petersburg. "I want to wish [him] a speedy recovery from his elbow surgery," Peya said. Ram and Peya dropped just one set, in the semi-finals, en route to their victory. Ram said...
One week ago, Peter Gojowczyk was not in the main draw of the Moselle Open. On Sunday, he became the last man standing, claiming his maiden ATP World Tour title in emphatic fashion. Gojowczyk dominated the Metz final, streaking past seventh seed and home hope Benoit Paire 7-5, 6-2 in 67 minutes. The German qualifier claimed seven matches in eight days to lift his first trophy, completing a stunning run to the title with 14 of 15 sets won. Gojowczyk's victory is the first for a qualifier in an ATP World Tour final this year, ending an 0-5 skid. He is the first to clinch a title since Nicolas Mahut in 's-Hertogenbosch in 2015. The 28 year old is also...
Damir Dzumhur captured his first ATP World Tour title on Sunday as he completed a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 comeback victory over Fabio Fognini in the final of the St. Petersburg Open. The Sarajevo native is the first player from Bosnia and Herzegovina to win an ATP World Tour singles title. Hot on the heels of Peter Gojowczyk’s victory at the Moselle Open in Metz (read more), Dzumhur is the seventh first-time champion on the ATP World Tour this season. "I was very nervous today, even though it was my second final. I was very nervous at the start," said Dzumhur. "I couldn't find my best rhythm, couldn't find my best game. But the experience of playing one final already helped...