kenneth in the (212): Weekend Tennis Report

Monday, September 26, 2022

Weekend Tennis Report

Titles for Samsonova, Sonego, Alexandrova and Nakashima. Plus the world bid Roger Federer farewell at the Laver Cup. See my full tennis report BELOW.

In a battle of Californians seeking their first ATP title, 21-year-old Brandon Nakashima defeated 29-year-old Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the San Diego Open.

Lorenzo Sonego took out Alexander Bublik 7-6(3), 6-2 in the championship match in Metz on Sunday to claim his first ATP Tour title of 2022. The 27-year-old’s 87-minute victory ensured he will depart France not having dropped a set at the ATP 250 indoor hard-court event.

Now maybe he can take a break from influencing!

No.30 Liudmila Samsonova captured her fourth career title at the Toray Pan Pacific Open, defeating No.36 Zheng Qinwen 7-5, 7-5 in Sunday's final.

No.2 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova collected her second Hologic WTA Tour title of 2022, and her third overall, after defeating No.1 seed Jelena Ostapenko 7-6(4), 6-0 in the Hana Bank Korea Open final.

In doubles: Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski captured the title at the Moselle Open downing second seeds Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara 7-6(5), 6-4 to claim their maiden ATP Tour title at the indoor hard-court event.

Cute x 2

And Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow made the most of their home advantage this week at the San Diego Open to claim their first ATP Tour title as a team. The Americans -- Lammons from Texas and Withrow from Nebraska -- earned a 7-6(5), 6-2 victory against Australians Jason Kubler and Luke Saville in Sunday's final at the ATP 250.

And what can I add to the Laver Cup reporting? The normally uneventful event was most eventful, with everyone getting emotional about Roger Federer's retirement ... and then the surprise of Team World actually winning, after having lost the first five years of the event

Who wore it better?

Team World

You have to admire someone who picked and unflattering hairstyle and has stuck with it

Roger that!

The Laver Cup is still nothing but an new exhibition, so my question is this: Will the big players continue to play now that its co-owner and marquee name is retired? I guess only time will tell.

Elsewhere around the net ...

Reilly Opelka did a good job of dog-sitting Martina Navratilova's pooch -- and helping out doing commentary for the Laver Cup. It was nice to hear the young American, whom I used to cheer for, not sound as dour as he has lately on social media.

Maybe I spoke too soon. Way to deny and double-down, Reilly. 🙄🙄🙄

Benoit Paire's career in a nutshell

You can probably imagine my reaction to J.J. Wolf's mustache in San Diego!

Jürgen Melzer looking fit on the soccer field; read his sendoff to Roger HERE.

This photo of Matteo gives me ideas

Jonathan Eysseric aussi

Grigor's results have really dropped off ... but his fitness sure hasn't

Adam Jones's flex appeal

Oscar Cutting was in good hands when he hurt himself ...

Jonesy to the rescue

Lorenzo's sing my Sonego

What ever gets you going, big boy

Always adorable Nikola

One of the Pulgar twins got married and boy do they both look handsome

Borna pulled out of Korea with a twisted ankle 🙄

No comment

Harrison on Harrison

I like how handsy Spanish soccer star Sergio Reguilón is with Carlitos

Now I just need to find out who his friend on the right is

Practice session with Eduardo Nava

Denis looking awfully fetching

Nicolas Moreno, a 25-year-old American, defeated Pucinelli De Almeida 6-2, 6-4 in Braga to claim his first #ATPChallenger title!

Nerman Fatić defeated Damir Džumhur to capture the Challenger in Sibiu, Romania

But it was nice to Daddy Damir back in the mix

Four lust-worthy photos of Andrea Pellegrino, who came up short in the final at the Challenger in Genoa, Italy

Thiago Monteiro captured his second Challenger title of the season, taking down home favorite Andrea Pellegrino in the final 6-1, 7-6(2)

In Genoa doubles action, German Dustin Brown teamed up with Italian Andrea Vavassori to win their third doubles title this season at the Challenger level (Cordenons and Szczecin).