Titles for Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Coco Gauff and Paula Badosa -- plus Novak Djokovic turned the big 3-4. Yet the only thing I can think about from the past week is this photo of Mischa Zverev with his brother(?). My full tennis report BELOW.
Perhaps knowing he has no chance in Paris, the birthday boy is playing a small event this week in his hometown.
World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas capped a perfect week in Lyon on Sunday, beating dreamy Cameron Norrie, 6-3, 6-3, to lift the ATP 250 trophy and set himself up as possible upset winner at Roland Garros. The Greek has now won a tour-leading 33 matches this year -- no one else is even at 30.
Despite the defeat, Norrie will also leave Lyon on a high. Not only did he record his first career Top 5 win against Dominic "MIA" Thiem earlier in the week, but his semifinal win over Karen Khachanov was his 23rd win of the year, putting him in third place for most wins in 2021 after Tsitsipas (33) and Andrey Rublev (29).
In doubles, Hugo Nys and Tim Puetz stunned No. 1 seeds Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in the Lyon final, 6-4 5-7 10-8.
On Saturday, Casper Ruud returned to the winner’s circle, 15 months after becoming the first Norwegian to win an ATP title. Third-seeded Ruud defeated second-seeded Denis Shapovalov and his pretty hair, 7-6 (6), 6-4, at the Geneva Open to claim his second ATP tour-level trophy.
“It feels as good to win today as it did in Buenos Aires [in 2020],” Ruud said. “I was more mature this week, knowing that I won a title before. It’s something else to do it the second time, but it’s the same great winning taste and winning feeling.”
In doubles, John Peers and Michael Venus improved their perfect ATP Tour finals record to 4-0 on Saturday when they swept past Simone Bolelli and Maximo Gonzalez 6-2, 7-5.
On the women's tour, Coco Gauff has had two very busy weeks in Italy, and its paid off. Fresh off her impressive run in Rome last week, the 17-year-old outshined Wang Qiang, 6-1, 6-3, in the Parma final on Saturday to capture her second career WTA title.
Later on Saturday, Gauff partnered with compatriot and friend Caty McNally to claim the doubles final, defeating Darija Jurak and Andreja Klepac, 6-3, 6-2. They have now won three tour-level doubles titles together. With both her wins today, Gauff becomes the youngest player to sweep the singles and doubles titles at an event since Maria Sharapova 2004.
Spain's Paula Badosa claimed her maiden WTA title on Saturday in Belgrade after opponent Ana Konjuh's injury curse returned and forced her retirement from the final. Fourth seed Badosa, ranked at 44 in the world, was leading 6-2, 2-0 when her Croatian opponent called it quits.
Around the Net:
Juan Martin del Potro is still training hard
Tommy Paul turned 24 ...
Flex appeal
Jan-Lennard has all the right Struff
My favorite Valdosta State University player ... ever
All eyes on Cristian Garín
Thomas Fabbiano's blond ambition continues
Filip Krajinovic seems to have hooked himself a fish ...
And I'll bet she's never buried her face in that ass once
Damir Dzumhur turned 29
Oscar's Otte couture
Karen Khachanov celebrated his birthday in Lyon with a run to the semis
and an on-court serenade.
But hitting the quarter-century mark with a 6-1, 6-1 loss to Cameron Norrie doesn't bode well for his tennis future. Modeling, however, is another topic all together.
Jurgen Melzer: Hottest name tag ever?
Stan Wawrinka's out of the French Open but still training for beyond
When do I get to take Vasek Pospisil underwear shopping?
Former WTA player Anne White and head pro at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club sure knows what she's doing
I voted YES
These days, it's nothing but breast-feeding for Sam Groth
Nathaniel Lammons takes a moment to enjoy the view in Geneva
For Carlos Alcaraz, a memorable month of May has become unforgettable. The 18-year-old Spaniard dominated at the ATP Challenger Tour stop in Oeiras, Portugal, claiming the biggest title of his young career. Alcaraz lifted the Oeiras Open 125 trophy on Sunday, defeating Facundo Bagnis 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 38 minutes. Alcaraz joined elite company with his victory in Oeiras, becoming one of just seven players to win four Challenger titles at the age of 18 & under. That list includes Richard Gasquet (7), Tomas Berdych (5), Felix Auger-Aliassime (4), Hyeon Chung (4), Mario Ancic (4) and Guillermo Coria (4).
Mask4Mask
It seems like Albano Olivetti is where the excitement lies
Matt Ebden's weekend at Bernie's
Everyone's a Real Housewife
Dominik Koepfer had a good week in Geneva before falling to eventual champ Casper Ruud in the quarters
James McGee and other fruits
Diego Schwartzman doesn't seem to be focused on tennis anymore
It's time for Pablo Cuevas
I guess it's impossible not to date someone less attractive when you look like Matteo Berrettini
Thanasi Kokkinakis won his first title in three years, beating No. 3 seed Enzo Couacaud of France 6-3, 6-4 in the Biella Challenger 6 Outdoor.
And last but not least: It's no secret that nothing would mean more to me -- and others -- than for a male tennis player to come out of the closet as gay.
And while I have no idea which players are family, I sure wouldn't mind having it be Reilly Opelka.
Not only does he appear to be a cool guy who "gets"/supports Black Lives Matter, is a gentleman on court and loves art ...
(He just announced a partnership with the Tim Van Laere Gallery!)
He's also the only guy on tour I know who goes around surreptitiously filming "daddy" Taylor Fritz ...
and noting that a certain physio and hitting partner's ass is looking "thiccc."
Message to Reilly: If you're gay, come on out. The water's just fine!
In fact, he might even be ready to film a scene for Fun Size Boys.
1 comment:
I am a Nadal fan but I would not say Djokovic has no chance in Paris. He is certainly the second favorite and he was the last man to beat Nadal at RG (2015). It would not surprise me if he wins his 19th Grand Slam.
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