He’s been a man on a mission in Melbourne the past two weeks and the dream came true for Roger Federer on Sunday evening as he toppled his great rival, Rafael Nadal, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in the Australian Open final to win his 18th Grand Slam championship. “I’m out of words,” said Federer, after receiving the trophy from Rod Laver. “I'd like to congratulate Rafa on an amazing comeback. There are no draws in tennis, but I would have been very happy to accept one and share it with Rafa tonight. The comeback had been perfect as it was,” said the Swiss, who was playing his first tour-level event after a six-month injury lay-off. All out aggression from...
John Peers ended his home country's Australian Open title drought, as he and Henri Kontinen ousted six-time champions Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan 7-5, 7-5 on Saturday at Melbourne Park The reigning ATP Finals champions took the inside track in returning to The O2 in London, claiming their first Grand Slam title together and improving to an impressive 6-1 in tour-level finals. They dropped just one set en route to the title, edging the Bryans behind 12 aces and three breaks of serve after one hour and 14 minutes. For Kontinen, it was his maiden major crown in his first final, while Peers lifted his first trophy in his third title match. He previously finished runner-up alongside Jamie Murray at...
Gilles Muller beat Daniel Evans 7-6(5), 6-2 on Saturday at the Apia International Sydney to capture his first ATP World Tour title. It was an emotional moment for the 33-year-old Luxembourg native, who had gone 0-5 in his previous ATP World Tour finals. ATPWorldTour.com spoke to Muller after his victory in Sydney. How does it feel to be holding your first ATP World Tour singles trophy at the age of 33? It feels great for many reasons. I’ve been waiting for this a long time. I’ve lost five finals before, so my biggest dream and goal was to win a title. Finally it’s here, so it’s great. It’s a lot of weight off my shoulders now. What does it mean...
The wait was worth it for Gilles Muller. Thirteen years after he played in his first ATP World Tour final, the left-hander won his first ATP World Tour title on Saturday, beating Brit Daniel Evans 7-6(5), 6-2 at the Apia International Sydney. The Luxembourg native had been 0-5 in ATP World Tour finals, including two in 2016. The title will propel him to inside the Top 30 of the Emirates ATP Rankings for the first time in his career. Muller, currently No. 34, is projected to climb to No. 28 when the new rankings are released on Monday. As if it could get any better, Muller was presented with the trophy on court by all-time great Rod Laver. “I wasn't...
Jack Sock claimed his second ATP World Tour title, beating Joao Sousa 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 for the ASB Classic crown on Saturday. Sock, the fourth seed, became the first American to win the title at the ATP World Tour 250 tournament in Auckland since John Isner in 2014 (also 2010). The 24-year-old Nebraska native adds to his 2015 Houston title and improves to 2-4 in tour-level finals. Sock broke twice in the first set to take a lead in the championship match, 6-3. The opponents traded breaks in the second set, but Sousa broke again for a 6-5 lead and then held serve once more to force a deciding set. Breaks were traded again early in the third set until...