kenneth in the (212): Weekend Tennis Roundup

Monday, November 08, 2021

Weekend Tennis Roundup

Novak Djokovic shredded the record books; Russia took home the Billie Jean Cup; Tommy Paul teased 'em in Paris -- and more BELOW.

Novak Djokovic won a record 37th Masters title by avenging his U.S. Open final defeat against Russian Daniil Medvedev with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory at the Paris Masters on Sunday. Djokovic moved one clear of fellow 20-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal for Masters trophies, and nine ahead of Roger Federer, the other tennis great with 20 majors. The win also marked a record-extending sixth Paris Masters title.

A day earlier Nole made history as he secured his place as the year-end world No. 1 for the record seventh time. With his 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 victory over Hubert Hurkacz in the semifinals, Djokovic moves clear of Pete Sampras, who finished the year as world No. 1 six times between 1993 and 1998. The 34-year-old has previously been crowned the year-end No. 1 in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2020.

"Just proud and extremely happy," was Djokovic's reaction to the record. "Obviously that was one of the biggest goals and it's always one of the biggest goals, to try to be No. 1 and end the season as No. 1." He added: "To do it for the record seventh time and surpass my childhood idol and role model, Pete, is incredible. Very grateful, very blessed to be in this position."

Earlier this year, Djokovic broke Roger Federer's record of 310 combined weeks as the men's world No. 1 -- a feat he told CNN was "like a crown of all the achievements that I had in last 15 or 15 plus years of [my] professional tennis career."

Defying the odds, and gravity ...

Does a goat bleat?

Tim Puetz and Michael Venus captured the Rolex Paris Masters doubles title on Sunday. The German-Kiwi team -- seen with their hunky coach -- completed a high-quality 6-3, 6-7(4), 11-9 victory over third-seeded Frenchmen and 2019 champions Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in one hour and 52 minutes.

Russia won both singles matches to defeat Switzerland 2-0 in the final of the Billie Jean King Cup on Saturday to claim the trophy for the fifth time. Liudmilla Samsonova rallied to capture the decisive point with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Tokyo Olympics singles champion Belinda Bencic. "It's too many emotions now," Samsonova said. "It's unbelievable. I'm unbelievably happy." (No offense to the legendary BJK, but am I the only one who wishes it were still called Fed Cup?)

No.3 seed Anna Bondar continued to surge in a career-best season, capturing her first WTA 125 title at the Argentina Open with a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of No.7 seed Diane Parry in one hour and 19 minutes. The tournament marked its return to the WTA Tour after a 34-year hiatus. Its last edition was won by former World No.3 Gabriela Sabatini, who defeated Isabel Cueto 6-0, 6-2 in the 1987 final.

Madison Brengle captured the Dow Tennis Classic championship Sunday in Midland. Mich., with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Robin Anderson.

And in Challenger Land ...

Holger Rune is carrying some serious momentum into his Next Gen ATP Finals debut. The 18-year-old Dane enters Milan on the heels of a historic victory in nearby Bergamo, Italy, claiming his fourth ATP Challenger title of the year. He battled past Cem Ilkel 7-5, 7-6(6) to triumph in Sunday's championship. Rune has taken the Challenger circuit by storm in 2021 and he would etch his name in the history books with his latest title. At the age of 18 years and six months, the teen became the second-youngest player to win four titles in a single season. Only a 17-year-old Richard Gasquet was younger when he achieved the feat in 2003.

Speaking of which: Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, Brandon Nakashima, Carlos Alcaraz, Sebastian Korda, Lorenzo Musetti, Sebastian Baez and Hugo Gaston pose for the official group shot of the 2021 Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals

Daniel Masur claims his second #ATPChallenger 🏆 of the year. Champion on home soil in Eckental!

Jonny O'Mara and Roman Jebavy were looking fit in their 6-4, 7-5 victory over Ruben Bemelmans and Daniel Masur at the Eckental Challenger.

Around the net ...

Tommy Paul and his peek-a-boo show looked ready for the Moulin Rouge

We upgraded from a 19-inch(!) to a 50-inch television and it's like having Marton in our living room!

Hot spectator alert!

Here's hoping Lloyd Glasspool is grooming 19-year-old Jack Draper

Borna teased he's "back" soon

Jonny O

Fashion plate Reilly Opelka

Jan-Lennard Struff found someone to make him feel short

Not all Italians are created equally

Some are built for speed

Former doubles partners Andreas Mies and Kevin Krawietz of Germany make fetching spokesmen

Blondie found a new partner while Andy was recovering from knee surgery, so it was interesting that they finally faced off against one another now that the latter is back.