Weekend Tennis Roundup

 

Big wins for Carlos Alcaraz, Andrey Rublev, Iga Swiatek and Anastasia Potapova, plus all the ATP beefcake that's fit to post BELOW.

With his 6-3, 6-2 victory over Pablo Carreno Busta in Barcelona on Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz is now 4-0 in ATP finals. In addition, he’s won them all in straight sets, propelling him to No. 9 this week -- making him the youngest man to break into the top 10 since Rafael Nadal did it exactly 17 years ago. 

It's really starting to sink in that we're seeing something truly exceptional. 

In doubles, KIT212 favorites Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies claimed an emotional victory on Sunday, fighting past Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski to clinch their first title together since successfully defending their crown at Roland Garros in 2020. The German duo reunited at the start of the year after Mies missed most of 2021 following knee surgery, and the unseeded pairing looked back to its best as it came from behind in the final to secure a 6-7(3), 7-6(5), 10-6 win at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899.

Over in Belgrade, Andrey Rublev captured his third title of the season Sunday, defeating Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-0 to complete his Serbia Open debut in style. While the world No. 1 showed progress from his early loss in Monte Carlo -- coming from a set down in three straight wins en route to the Belgrade final -- he got bageled in the third, later revealing that he's suffering the lingering effects from an unnamed illness. (How do you say "long Covid" in Serbo-Croat?) 

It was cute seeing the Russian receive his trophy from Novak's hot little brother

Iga Swiatek once again proved she is capable of filling Ash Barty's shoes, capturing her fourth straight title of the 2022 season by beating Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 6-2 in the Stuttgart Open final on Sunday, and extending her winning streak to 23 matches. Here's hoping she comes away victorious at Roland Garros so our latest "No. 1 without a current Slam" nightmare ends in a timely fashion.

Qualifier Anastasia Potapova -- who was a former junior No. 1 and the 2016 Wimbledon girls' champ -- won her first WTA Tour title in her third final, storming past No.3 seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-3, 6-1 in Istanbul. From 3-1 down in the first set, Potapova won eight straight games and 11 of the last 12. (All I can think is that Veronika's sexy hubby had his eye on a nearby teenager and she got distracted.) 

See which guy shoots the most HERE!

The German boys had a lot to celebrate in Barcelona

After the loss, Djokovic said: "Things are progressing slowly but surely... Again, Paris is the big goal."

Just noting that Karen Khachanov looked awfully fetching in his green Nike kit during his three-set loss to Novak in Belgrade

Elsewhere around the net ...

Congrats to former World No.3 Milos Raonic, who tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Belgian model Camille Ringoir, in a private wedding ceremony that took place in Italy

Marcos Baghdatis appears to be running some kind of IMG Future Stars event ...

... And he even managed to get Hubert Hurkacz and Carlos Alcaraz to play an exhibition set in Greece earlier today, won by the Pole in a tiebreak

A week after officially retiring, Tommy Robredo seems to have a new job!

Aussie Matt Reid looking nice 'n' thick

Christopher O’Connell from Australia won the Challenger event in Split. The 27-year-old Sydney native, who is based in the Croatian resort town, was leading 6-3, 2-0 when Zsombor Piros of Hungary was forced to retire due to a back injury.

In doubles, one of the hottest teams I've seen in ages -- American Nathaniel Lammons and Frenchman Albano Olivetti -- rallied to beat Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul of France 4-6, 7-6(7), 10-7

I'm guessing the crowd needed a cigarette after that one.

Novak got a visit from Slovenia soccer star Jan Oblak

I approve

Pretty boys Gijs Brouwer and Christian Harrison defeated No. 3 seeds Cristian Rodriguez and Diego Hidalgo 4-6, 7-5, 10-6 to claim their first ATP Challenger doubles title in Tallahassee. 

Can you guess why I'm still lusting after Dutch journeyman Bart Stevens?

Even though he lost in first round of qualifications in Bavaria, Daniel Masur and his shorts always have time for their fans

Christian is a mama's boy

Matteo Berrettini is a Boss man

Oscar Otte reached the quarters in Belgrade, yet still seems to considering switching sports

I'm buying whatever Quentin Halys is selling 

The Pulgar twins take Munich

I approve of Corentin Moutet's new "friend"

Maria Sakkari's team can still enjoy some espresso even if she had to retire from her round of 16 match in Stuttgart

Liam Broady is having a rough go of it

Jonny O'Mara looks ready

Jamie Murray and Jean-Julien Rojer enjoy a meal at the Brit's favorite restaurant in Barcelona

I'm guessing fans were trampled trying to get to this

Four eyes look good on Vasek Pospisil 

Cesar Ramirez lands another one 

And last but not least, I think I SEE WHY why Andreas Mies finally returned to the winners' circle!