John Isner captured his third title in Newport on Sunday, beating first-time finalist Matthew Ebden 6-3, 7-6(4) for the Dell Technologies Hall Of Fame Open crown. The American adds to his 2011 (d. Rochus) and 2012 (d. Hewitt) titles in the Rhode Island city as he claims the 11th title of his career, all at the ATP World Tour 250 level. “It’s hard to win a tournament. It’s no small feat to come out here and be the last man standing. I’m very happy about that,” said Isner, who is expected to return to the Top 20 of the Emirates ATP Rankings on Monday. “It’s been two years since I won a tournament, so I had that weighing on my...
#NextGenATP Russian Andrey Rublev captured his first ATP World Tour title on Sunday as he defeated fourth seed Paolo Lorenzi 6-4, 6-2 in the final of the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag. “It’s amazing. I have no words to explain it, especially after this tough week,” said Rublev. “Now I’m here and it’s amazing.” It caps a dream week for the 19-year-old Rublev, who had beaten third seed and defending champion Fabio Fognini in the quarter-finals and home hope Ivan Dodig in the last four to reach his first ATP World Tour final. The Moscow native had fallen in the final round of qualifying, but earned a spot in the main draw as a lucky loser when Borna Coric was...
Julian Knowle and Philipp Petzschner were warriors all week at the SkiStar Swedish Open and the Austrian-German tandem were rewarded with their first team title on Sunday. Knowle and Petzschner defeated Dutch duo Sander Arends and Matwe Middelkoop 6-2, 3-6, 10-7 on Centre Court in Bastad, notching their fourth straight victory in a Match Tie-break. They prevailed after 70 minutes, converting three of 14 break chances. Competing as a team for the first time, the unseeded titlists split €26,110 in prize money and 250 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points. Both ended lengthy ATP World Tour title droughts, notching their first trophies since 2014. "It was an amazing week," said Petzschner. "Coming in, Julian had won in Braunschweig and we just...
Victory never tasted so sweet for David Ferrer. Two years removed from his most recent ATP World Tour title, the Spaniard lifted a trophy once again, prevailing at the SkiStar Swedish Open on Sunday. Elated and emotional, Ferrer raised his arms in triumph and held back tears as the 35 year old needed one hour and 26 minutes - and seven match points - to dismiss Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 6-4. He fired three aces and saved four of five break points faced, turning in a vintage Ferrer performance predicated on great agility and depth off his forehand. It was Ferrer's 27th ATP World Tour title, the most in the Open Era without winning a Grand Slam, and first since emerging...
Playing together for the first time this week, Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and Rajeev Ram notched the doubles title at the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open. Qureshi and Ram defeated Aussie duo Matt Reid and John-Patrick Smith 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 on Saturday. The win came one day after rallying past third seeds Sam Groth and Leander Paes 11-9 in a Match Tie-break, saving eight match points. It was the second doubles title in Newport for both players, with Qureshi prevailing in 2015 with Jonathan Marray and Ram in 2009 with Jordan Kerr. In total, Qureshi captured his 15th ATP World Tour doubles crown and fourth of the year (with four different partners). For Ram, it was title No. 13 and his...