The legend continues to grow. Roger Federer extended his run of dominance in 2017, clinching his third title of the season 6-3, 6-4 over Rafael Nadal on Sunday at the Miami Open presented by Itau. Federer added to his ATP World Tour Masters 1000 legacy, notching his 26th crown and third Sunshine Double (2005-06), having lifted the trophy in Indian Wells two weeks prior. The Swiss, who is projected to return to the Top 5 of the Emirates ATP Rankings at No. 4 on Monday, earned his 91st tour-level title in total. On song throughout the fortnight in Miami, Federer rarely put a foot wrong in Sunday’s final, prevailing after one hour and 34 minutes. He fired 29 winners, including...
The incredible comeback continues. Roger Federer won a record-tying fifth BNP Paribas Open crown on Sunday as he defeated Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 7-5 in an all-Swiss final at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The Swiss endured a six-month injury layoff at the end of 2016, but returned to tour-level action at the start of the season in spectacular fashion, capturing his 18th Grand Slam championship at the Australian Open with a five-set victory over Rafael Nadal. “It’s been just a fairytale week once again,” said Federer. “I’m still on the comeback. I hope my body is going to allow me to keep on playing. I was very sad when I couldn’t come here last year. Just being here is a beautiful...
Rajeev Ram gave himself the best possible 33rd birthday present on Saturday at the BNP Paribas Open, teaming with Raven Klaasen to defeat eighth seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo 6-7(1), 6-4, 10-8 to take the doubles title in Indian Wells. The victory gives Klaasen and Ram their first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title as a team. It's the first Masters 1000 title for Ram and second for Klaasen, who previously won Shanghai in 2015 with Melo. This is Klaasen/Ram's fifth title as a team and second of 2017, having also prevailed last month in Delray Beach. Four of their five matches this fortnight went to a Match Tie-break. Klaasen/Ram also have the unique distinction of recording back-to-back wins...
Pablo Cuevas picked the most unorthodox way to win an unconventional final on Monday at the Brasil Open in Sao Paulo. About to deliver a second serve on his fourth match point, the Uruguayan dipped down and tapped an underhand serve to Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who rushed to the service box and successfully returned the surprise tactic. But Cuevas eventually won the point and made tournament history in Sao Paulo with his 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4 win. The 31 year old became the first player since the tournament began in 2001 to win three consecutive Brasil Open titles. Spaniard Nicolas Almagro has won the tournament three times but only two of his titles were successive. “I was making a lot of...
For the first time in six years, an all-Brazilian team has claimed the doubles title at the Brasil Open. Rogerio Dutra Silva and Andre Sa lifted the trophy on home soil in Sao Paulo, defeating Marcus Daniell and Marcelo Demoliner 7-6(5), 5-7, 10-7. "Every title is special, but to do it on home soil is another level," said Sa. "It was a great atmosphere this week. I had my friends and family here, so it was really special. Rogerio is from Sao Paulo, so it was very special for him as well. We're just really happy." Teaming for the first time this week, Dutra Silva and Sa became the first all-Brazilian tandem to prevail at the tournament since Marcelo Melo...
