It’s been another captivating collection of milestones on tour.
The fourth and final Grand Slam of the season, the US Open, might be fast approaching, however, players are seeking success far and wide across the globe. Here are the latest headlines…
The US Open begins in under a month as the world’s best target success in NYC
It’s been another captivating collection of milestones on tour.
The fourth and final Grand Slam of the season, the US Open, might be fast approaching, however, players are seeking success far and wide across the globe. Here are the latest headlines…
If you ever needed a match to encapsulate the Aussie grit of Alex de Minaur, the Washington final would be the perfect example.
The world No.8 lifted his 10th career title by reeling in Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(3) in Washington, USA, on Sunday under the lights.
Davidovich Fokina, seeking his maiden title, held three championships points at 5-4 in the decider, but ‘Demon’ escaped with some astonishing defensive work and on-the-run brilliance.
"It's something about this court. I did it in 2018 against (Andrey) Rublev and honestly, I just kind of knew I could do it," said the 26-year-old, who in fact saved four match points versus Rublev, before losing the final.
"I just backed myself and I told myself to commit no matter what and if I lost this match it was going to be on my terms. Today it went my way. I've had a couple of brutal ones not go my way, so I'm glad this one went my way."
De Minaur, having lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Rotterdam final, roared to his first trophy of the year. His consistency has now yielded 35 wins this season, which is a tally only bettered by Alcaraz on the men’s tour.
"I'm very happy with where I am at the moment, how I'm dealing with things on and off the court," stated de Minaur. "I had the mindset that even if today didn't go my way, it was a very positive week.
"I was proud of my efforts no matter what, but jeez it feels good to hold my 10th title."
As a US Open runner-up back in 2021, Leylah Fernandez has an abundance of experience and knowhow to call upon in hard-court duels.
The world No.24 (up 12 spots on Monday) blazed past world No.31 Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2 in Washington to capture a fourth WTA singles trophy.
Fernandez had last claimed the top prize in Hong Kong in October 2023 and was last in a final in June 2024 on the grass of Eastbourne. Fast forward a year and the Canadian was in sublime form in Washington, helping her battle past No.3 seed Elena Rybakina 6-7(2), 7-6(3), 7-6(3) in an enthralling three-hours and 12-minutes semi-finals clash.
"I have gone through so many different challenges this week," said Fernandez. "I think it just has made me stronger in a way that if I can get through this week, through the cramps, through the long matches, through the heat, the humidity, I can get through anything.
“I was just very happy that I got to not only push myself physically through the limits but also mentally. So that kind of will help me hopefully for future tournaments."
Two weeks, two trophy lifts. That’s the silverware success for Alexander Bublik and Luciano Darderi over the past fortnight.
World No.25 Bublik, who has now won three of the past four events he’s competed in, transferred his title-winning form over from Gstaad to topple France’s Arthur Cazaux 6-4, 6-3 on the clay of kitzbuhel in Austria.
Italy’s Darderi maintained his perfect record in ATP finals (4-0) with a 6-3, 6-3 passage past Carlos Taberner over in Umag, Croatia.
The Bastad champion joins Alcaraz and Bublik as the third man to win at least three tour-level titles this campaign.
"It is something special for me," said Darderi, who has compiled a nine-match winning streak to move within three positions of his career-high ranking No.32.
"It was two crazy weeks. If you told me this two weeks ago, I'd say it was impossible. But I am very happy with my performance and my tennis was incredible this week. I will try to rest now and continue to play like this on the hard courts."
Great Britain’s Francesca Jones has joined compatriots Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal as a Top 100 debutant.
The 6-3, 6-2 scoreline over Anouk Koevermans on the island of Sicily, Italy, landed Jones the WTA125 Palermo Open title and a surge up from world No.101 to No.84 as a reward.
The home surroundings boosted Marie Bouzkova once again at the Prague Open. The 2022 title winner, in the ninth all-Czech singles final at the event since the Czech Republic became independent in 1993, rebounded 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 in a triumph facing her countrywoman Linda Noskova.