ATP/WTA: Rejuvenated Medvedev and co lift silverware

882 days in the making

Daniil Medvedev is a member of the ATP No.1 club, he’s peaked at the top of the rankings, won a Grand Slam at the 2021 US Open, as well as claiming 20 titles. Make that 21.

On Sunday, under the tutelage of fresh coaching combination of Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, Medvedev won his first title since the Rome Masters in May 2023.

The 29-year-old is back in the winner’s circle, having defied the thrilling hot-shot antics of Frenchman Corentin Moutet 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

"It is great. I was not super happy with how I played in some moments of the match, but to win feels amazing. In the most important points I played good," said Medvedev. "The last game was incredible and I am happy to win the title. It continues my funny story of 21 titles in 21 different cities."

Medvedev, who has reached the semi-finals in Beijing and Shanghai too as a result of a proactive approach in his new coaching set up since the US Open, had his nearest and dearest courtside in Kazakhstan for his latest milestone moment.

"I want to thank my family, my beautiful wife, my two daughters. It is the first time I have been at a tournament with my two daughters and wife together, so to get a title is really nice," added Medvedev during the trophy ceremony.

"I honour this title to my second daughter Victoria, because the first title I got when my first daughter Alisa was born was for her, so this one is for Victoria."

Moutet’s reward for a spellbinding week is a career-high ranking of No.36 on Monday.

Flawless Ruud rockets to Stockholm silverware

It was a pulsating rally, culminating in Casper Ruud sprinting right. The Norwegian connected with the ball at full throttle, just by the advertising boards in Stockholm, Sweden.

His forehand lasered by Ugo Humbert and was the standout highlight from a near perfect performance on Sunday. You just have to watch this point (below).

Ruud, offering up just three points all match on his own serve, swept aside No.4 seed Humbert 6-2, 6-3 to lift a 14th ATP title

"I would like to congratulate Ugo for his week and sorry about today. I think I played the best match of the year against you, so I am sorry. I am really happy but sorry Ugo," said Ruud with a chuckle. 

"I know that against you, if I don't play well, you will destroy me. So I knew I had to wake up and play well.

"I am really happy to win here in Stockholm and it is a little bit of a childhood dream as it is close to Norway and all the legends have played here in the past. (Roger) Federer, (Rafael) Nadal, (Bjorn) Borg, (John) McEnroe, you name it. So, it is an honour to get a title here." 

Ring to success for Felix

In his first tournament as a married man, Felix Auger-Aliassime went on to win the top prize.

“I guess it’s good luck,” joked FAA with a beaming smile as he thanked his wife. “I have to give you some credit.”

The Canadian outgunned world No.17 Jiri Lehecka 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-2 in Brussels, Belgium, on Sunday to catapult into ATP Finals qualification contention.

Auger-Aliassime had seen two match points erased in the second set tie-break, before regaining the initiative down the home straight for his eighth career title, which ties Milos Raonic as the most for Canadian men in the Open Era.

“It’s the final, so we put everything on the line. I feel like we were both extremely focused from the beginning,” said the world No.12. “It was a high level for two sets, then you don’t know how things can go… But I’m obviously glad.

“I have so much respect for him (Lehecka) as a person, as a player. He’s a great guy. Since he’s been on Tour, we’ve gotten along very well, so credit to him and his team, they do a fantastic job.”

Auger-Aliassime has jumped up to ninth in the race for the eight spots at the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, next month. He sits just 330 points behind Lorenzo Musetti, with precious points on offer in Vienna and Basel over the upcoming week.

Double digits for Rybakina, Fernandez fights back

Elena Rybakina stormed back to land a 10th WTA title in Ningbo, China, at the weekend.

The Kazakh reeled in Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-2  to hold the trophy aloft.

Rybakina now knows that at least a semi-final run in WTA Tokyo this week will guarantee the 26-year-old a place in the WTA Finals, overtaking Mirra Andreeva into the last remaining position.

Meanwhile, it was a week to remember for Leylah Fernandez in Osaka, Japan, too. The Canadian defeated teenager qualifier Tereza Valentova 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 to land a fifth WTA title.

In doing so, Fernandez reclaims the Canada No.1 crown from Victoria Mboko as world No.22, just one place above her compatriot.

“I want to thank my team and my dad, who’s also my coach, and my hitting partner,” said Fernandez whilst clutching the trophy. “Thank you so much for suffering with me this past week, past month and past year. I also want to thank my family and loved ones back home. Without you, I wouldn’t be here. Without everyone’s sacrifices and support, I wouldn’t be on this stage, so thank you so much for all the love and motivation you’ve given me.”