Exciting first-time tournament wins for Maxime Cressy, Francisco Cerundolo and Bernarda Pera plus a second career title for 31-year-old Petra Martic. See my full report BELOW.
Ooh la la!
Zoom in to see if we can tell that Big Max is more American than European
Dreamboat Maxime Cressy rallied to win his first career ATP Tour title, beating No. 3 seed Alexander Bublik 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3) on Sunday in the Hall of Fame Open. After knocking out four-time Newport champ John Isner in the semifinals a day earlier, the 25-year-old Franco-American overcame a 6-2, 3-0 deficit -- and faced break point to go down 4-0 -- to come out on top. During the trophy presentation, the erratic Bublik rather predictably gave Jelena Ostapenko a run for her money, doing everything in his power to rob Cressy -- and the crowd -- of any joy from the victory. Twitter summed it up perfectly by describing the nutty Slav as being as obnoxious as Nick Kyrgios but without nearly as much talent.
In doubles, William Blumberg and Steve Johnson capped a dream debut tournament as a team beating top-seeded South African-Brazilian duo Raven Klaasen and Marcelo Melo 6-4, 7-5 to lift the trophy at the ATP 250 event. This was a title defense for hunky Blumberg, who won the event with Jack Sock in 2021.
Francisco Cerundolo capped an impressive week at the Swedish Open in Bastad with a high-quality 7-6(4), 6-2 victory against countryman Sebastian Baez on Sunday to lift his maiden ATP Tour title. This felt right as Baez won the Estoril Open in Portugal in April while Cerundolo, who lost his only other ATP final last year at the Argentina Open to Diego Schwartzman, had to watch his little brother (Juan Manuel) win the 2021 Cordoba Open in Argentina. (Maybe I am a socialist -- I like to spread the wealth!)
In doubles, Rafael Matos and David Vega Hernandez picked up their third ATP Tour title in the space of just four months with a dramatic 6-4, 3-6, 13-11 championship match victory against Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini. (Bolelli will always have his SPEEDO BOD to fall back on.)
It was a long wait for Bernarda Pera to reach her first tour-level final, but once she got there, the American went all the way, defeating Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday to win the Hungarian Grand Prix title
And former Top 15 player Petra Martic captured her second career WTA Tour singles title Sunday at the Ladies Open Lausanne, defeating Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2
Elsewhere around the net ...
Carlos Alcaraz, Anett Kontaveit, and Karen Khachanov looking like they’re ready to cause some trouble in Hamburg.
I can already tell my favorite thing about this week's German Open is Peter Lucassen, dba Botic van de Zandschulp's coach
This photo Iga Swiatek shared probably isn't going to do much to stop the "Agnieszka Radwanska is coming out of retirement" rumors!
Yet another reason to love Bart Stevens
How swede it it for the singles and doubles champs in Bastad
Guido Pella challenges Berrettini to a "dandruff off"
Team Pavic
Tell me where it hurts, Aljaz
Big Joe Salisbury conquering holes
View to a thrill
Karen Khachanov works up a sweat
Where do I sign up to sit on his lap?
Congratulations to Lleyton Hewitt on his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. I never cared for him -- I don't how you ever show your face in public after making such an embarrassingly racist comment about a linesman during a match against James Blake -- but his results definitely earned him this spot.
With fellow HOF members Andy Roddick and Tracy Austin
Andrey Rublev practiced with Diego
Novak plays spot the difference
Christian Harrison with a young fan
Ryan Harrison tries to recapture his youth
Of course the Harrisons have a sister named Madison(!)
Andy Mies responded to my flame emoji with a bicep flex one!
Now how do I get a moment like this?
I think it's hard for an American to understand just how important Novak Djokovic's success is to his nation
Robert Farah being Robert Farah
Kevin Krawietz looking especially fetching
Nobody tell my husband that David O'Hare gives private lessons
Thommy Fabbiano and friend
On July 14, Novak was declared an honorary citizen of Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina
... which I'm guessing is a good thing!
Cristian Garin's Manspread Monday
Garin with Pedro Martínez Portero
Americans aren't always the best-looking players. But when we get it right, we really get it right!
David Vegas Hernandez's ass in motion
... and in relaxation mode
Borna Coric takes on fellow Balkan babe Laslo Djere tomorrow in Hamburg
Stan Wawrinka knows it's up for him, if we steal his sunshine
Filip Krajinovic and Carlitos
Let's hope Karen worked the Spanish teenager over a bit
Matteo in motion
Benoit Paire finally exhibits some model behavior
Your weekly dose of World No. 664 Tobias Simon
Look at that face!
Team Cressy
Hot coach alert: Armand Darcour
Tracy Austin put the meat in this American tennis sandwich. Andy could take a lesson from Stan Smith and lose the constant ball caps -- his hair looks great
Who is Mischa Zverev's "friend"?
Cam Norrie gave in the "show feet" crowd
Casper Ruud tries to work out some of the post-Paris kinks in his game
If Tommy Paul's workout regimen is any indicator, he should sweep the summer hardcourt season!
Watch HERE.
(With wire services.)
Cressy - UCLA Bruins
ReplyDeleteJust sayin'