Holger Rune of Denmark and Sebastian Baez of Argentina were added to the list of first-time ATP tournament winners, plus all the action on and off the court BELOW.
Holger Rune became an ATP Tour winner for the first time on Saturday, after his opponent Botic van de Zandschulp was forced to retire in the final of the BMW Open by American Express in Munich.
Van de Zandschulp led 4-3 in the opening set with Rune serving at 40/15 when the Dutchman retired due to an aching chest. Both eighth-seeded van de Zandschulp and wild card Rune had reached their maiden tour-level final on debut at the ATP 250 event in Germany. “This was probably the worst way to win a final,” said Rune after the match. “I was obviously expecting a very tough match and he came out very strong. I just wish him all the best, a speedy recovery, and we all just hope to see him back on the court very soon.”
The run to the title caps a memorable week for Rune, who turned 19 on Friday. With the win, the Dane becomes the third-youngest Munich champion in the Open Era, and the fifth first-time winner on the ATP Tour in 2022. He notched a maiden Top 10 victory against World No. 3 Alexander Zverev in the second round, also seeing off Jiri Lehecka, Emil Ruusuvuori and Oscar Otte in straight sets on his way to the title.
Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies have gone back-to-back on the European clay. The third seeds defeated Rafael Matos and David Vega Hernandez, 4-6, 6-4, 10-7, at the BMW Open by American Express in Munich on Saturday to lift the trophy in front of their home fans at the ATP 250 event. It marks a successful title defense for Krawietz, who won the 2021 crown in Bavaria with Wesley Koolhof while Mies was recovering from knee surgery.
Krawietz and Mies won their first trophy together since Roland Garros in 2020 at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell ATP 500 event last weekend and looked full of confidence as they dropped just two sets on their way to a sixth ATP Tour title in Munich. “it’s a huge pleasure and honor for us to win the title here on home soil in Munich,” said Mies after the match. “It was a really special moment today, to win our first title at home with Kevin, in front of our family and friends and everyone who came out and supported us today. It feels amazing. It was a tough final, our opponents did well to make it tough for us, but I’m happy we got through.”
Sebastian Baez capped a dream week at the Estoril Open with one of his most dominant performances of the tournament to claim his first ATP Tour title. Playing in his second tour-level final, the 21-year-old defeated Frances Tiafoe, 6-3, 6-2, in the championship match. The Argentine collapsed to the court in celebration as he capped the week of his life by winning the last five games of the final. During the trophy ceremony, he shared his thoughts during that moment: "A lot things, a lot of words," he said, "but I think we best words were 'so proud.'"
To top things off, Frances -- ever the sportsman -- hosed his opponent down after the match in one of the most homoerotic displays I have seen in years
Elsewhere around the net ...
Two GOATS in Madrid
And how about this?
Carlos really is another Nadal
What type of supermarket do conspiracy theorists shop in?
National embarrassment Boris Becker was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail on Friday for flouting the terms of his bankruptcy in 2017. Earlier this month, the 54-year-old former world No. 1 and three-time Wimbledon champion was found guilty of four offenses relating to his bankruptcy, including failing to disclose, concealing and removing significant assets.
Tommy Paul looked like he was on fire today against Jannik Sinner, only to squander three match points in Madrid
What's going on, Tommy?
Where's the sign-up sheet?
Not looking good for Dominic Thiem
Cam Norrie looking good on clay
#ShapoStache?
Best friends Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov
Sam Groth: Why do conservatives always fill their suits best?
Michael Stich came out to celebrate his countrymen's win
Lloyd of London
I can see why Lloyd Glasspool has such a crush on Jack Draper
Too bad Andy Murray saw him first
I could watch David Vegas Hernandez CARRY ON all day
He and partner Rafael Matos celebrated reaching the doubles final in Munich in the beer garden
It's no secret why Guido Pella keeps impregnating people
Filip Krajinovic is still the most f**kable man on tour
Anyone else slightly uncomfortable with this photo of the Gambill brothers?
New obsession: Hady Habib
Clearly I need to start following Victoria Azarenka
... to find out what is going on in her box
Boss man Matteo Berrettini
Despite looking like this, the Italian Stallion will likely miss the French Open
Maybe his blond brother can step in for him?
I'm always rooting for Paula Badosa
... if for no other reason than getting to see more of her slutty boyfriend
19 candles
Vasek Pospisil has a new "partnership"
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get better stills from his Urban Cowboy routine shared on his IG Stories
Although he blown out by Jack Sock in the final, it was a fantastic week in Savannah for Christian Harrison, who played nearly as well as he looks
Doesn't know very many unattractive people, does he?
J.J. Wolf looked great reaching the semis in Savannah, because a surprisingly weak performance against Christian Harrison
Marton Fucsovics lost a nail-biter to Maxime Cressey in the Madrid qualies
The German boys
Germany's Elmar Ejupovic caught my eye in Munich
Dutch treat Tim van Rijthoven
Woof
"A little lower, David."
Hot date: Christian Harrison and Vasek Pospisil
Holger in motion
Does this mean my bf Bernabé Zapata Miralles is a cat person?!
Maybe Cristian Garin isn't as boring as I thought ...
Winning smiles
Benjamin Lock in motion
JMG puts the hot in "hot yoga"
Still can't believe the FCC hasn't fined The Tennis Channel for airing Maxime Cressey in these shorts
Or Benoit Paire in these ...
Nice of the Frenchman to wear undies that match the clay
In Challenger Land ...
Camilo Ugo Carabelli won his second Challenger, this time on his home turf in Buenos Aires
Britain's Jay Clarke won his third ATP Challenger title last week – lifting the trophy at the Morelos Challenger in Mexico with a 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(5) win over Adrian Menendez-Maceiras in the final.
Is that his trophy husband?
Jack Sock defeated Christian Harrison 6-4, 6-1 to capture the title in Savannah
He and the Harrison brothers go waaaaay back!
In an all-Italian* final, Franco Agamenone -- who also identifies as Argentinian -- defeated Gian Marco Moroni 6-1, 6-4 to claim the singles title in Rome!
And pretty boys Jesper De Jong and Bart Stevens won the doubles crown in Rome
And last but not least: Was very sad to hear about the passing of Kristijan Schneider, the former coach of Borna Coric, who died at 41 after a long battle with abdominal cancer. See his most famous pupil's post HERE.
(With wire services.)
1 comment:
did the ATP ever rule on Rune's homophobic outburst last summer?
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