Titles for Rune, Zverev, Ostapenko and Svitolina; a sweaty Krajinovic flashback; plus all the ATP beef that's fit to post BELOW.
Holger Rune denied Carlos Alcaraz a third Barcelona Open trophy when he stunned the Spaniard 7-6 (6), 6-2 in the final Sunday to lift his first title in two years. Alcaraz had won the tournament in 2022 and 2023, but the top seed seemed to be struggling with an injury midway through the match, allowing Rune to capitalize and win his first trophy since the Bavarian Open in April 2023.
Top-seeded Alexander Zverev beat second-seeded American Ben Shelton 6-2, 6-4 to win his third Munich title on Sunday. The win returns the German to just ahead of Alcaraz in the rankings, much to my chagrin. Although he's been around forever, I was still a little surprised to realize he turned 28 yesterday with no major in sight.
In Barcelona's doubles, Sander Arends and Luke Johnson upset Joe Salisbury and Neal Skuspski, 6-3, 6-7(1), 10-6) to take home the title. Watch them celebrate in the pool HERE.
And in Munich, André Göransson and Sem Verbeek defeated Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz 6-4, 6-4
On the women’s side: Jelena Ostapenko beat Aryna Sabalenka to win the Stuttgart Open in stunning fashion. Ostapenko, who had failed to win in three previous meetings against the world number one, took the match 6-4 6-1. The Latvian had beaten Iga Swiatek for the sixth time in a row in the semis, en route to winning her first title on clay since the 2017 French Open(!). I was just telling Damian that with the possible exception of Mary Pierce, I don't think there's ever been a better striker of the ball. However, this high risk, high reward style rarely adds up to a title, so for her to pull this off is remarkable to say the least.
No. 1 seed Elina Svitolina -- looking more Eastern European than ever -- collected her first title in nearly two years on Sunday, hoisting the trophy at the WTA 250 event in Rouen, France. The Ukrainian topped No. 3 seed Olga Danilovic of Serbia 6-4, 7-6(8).
Elsewhere around the net …
Can you imagine this lunatic behind the wheel of a Porsche?
How do you say "road rage" in Latvian?
Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal and Steafnos Tsitsipas attended the star-studded Laureus Awards
But Casper Ruud was the night's big winner
Doggy style with Marton Fucsovics
The Vavassori bunch needs its own reality show
RIP: Juan Martin del Potro mourns the death of countryman Pope Francis
Hamad Medjedovic has the studliest profile pic yet
Pablo Carreno Busta wants to be your No. 1
Borna Coric suits up
Twerk ready, natch!
Bulge alert!
Tommy Paul takes to the clay
Not a fan, but his body has definitely "blossomed"
Why we love Aryna
Hamad towering over Novak
👀
Holger made quite a splash in Barcelona
But what exactly was this guy trying to do to him?
Serve me up some Nicolas Barrientos
Leggy Liam Broady
James Duckworth cruised past Max Wiskandt 6-1, 6-1 to capture his 15th ATP Challenger title, this time in San Luis Potosí
Roberto Carballés Baena looks like he had a fun weekend
I'm happy to learn whatever he's teaching
He was "made for sunny days"
Damian got us the two most European men's tennis player Coke Zeroes on offer!
David Vega Hernandez with friends and family
Always uncomfortable to remember that John McEnroe was briefly attractive!
Quick stop to say hi to Roger and Mirka!
You know it's a hot matchup when Budgy Smuggler aficionado Marcus Willis isn't even the best-looking guy on the court!
Zlatan Dzumhur strikes again
Retirement agrees with John Millman's legs
We get it, Albano Olivetti, you're straight
Well done, Marcelo!
I'd watch Andrea solo top these two
Pitchman Nico Jarry
I like the meat in this Holger-Karen sandwich
Jack Draper welcomes Jannik Sinner back
The Alexandre Muller Report
I like where this is going with Ben Lock
I'm always weirded out when Sabalenka acts like a woman
Nice to see Pedro Martinez teamed up with Jaume Munar
Looks like Carlos hit the jackpot!
Here's hoping Carlos gets back ahead of Zverev before the French Open seedings are announced.
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