There is something gnawing away at Novak Djokovic a week before Wimbledon and, if it was just losing against Marin Cilic in the final of the Fever‑Tree Championship, he might return from a few days at home in Monte Carlo refreshed and ready to go again. It was tough to tell, though, as his voice dipped in the immediate aftermath of Cilic’s 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-3 win in just under three hours on a warm Sunday afternoon at the Queen’s Club.
Source: The Guardian
Richard Gasquet defeated French compatriot Jeremy Chardy to win the Libema Open at Hertogenbosch. The world No. 30 was in scintillating form in the final, showing the grass court prowess that has taken him to two Wimbledon semi-finals on his way to a 6-3, 7-6 (5) win.
Roger Federer celebrated his return to the top of the world rankings by beating Milos Raonic 6-4 7-6 (7-3) to win the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart. The Swiss, playing his first tournament since March after skipping the clay-court season, beat Canadian Milos Raonic for his 98th career title. His run to the final in Germany ensured he usurped previous world No 1 Rafael Nadal at the top of the ATP rankings, and if he wins in Halle next week – a traditional Federer stronghold – he will arrive at Wimbledon in July looking for his 100th title on tour.
Though it seems the right thing to do at this stage, there is no plan to retire the Coupe des Mousquetaires, the trophy that goes to the winner of the men’s singles title at the French Open. Rafael Nadal has all but taken permanent possession of it, hoisting it high and biting down on its handle for the 11th time after defeating Dominic Thiem, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, in the final on Sunday. But the French are, in a sense, retiring the historic stadium in which Nadal has established his historic dominance. Almost immediately after Thiem’s last return had flown long, the attendants in the tournament’s longstanding press room inside the Philippe Chatrier Court were distributing hard hats and colored markers to reporters and others for their demolition party. Much of the Chatrier Court, the main showplace at Roland Garros, will be demolished and rebuilt in the next 10 months to prepare for the installation of a retractable roof by 2020.
Source: NYTimes
Rafael Nadal survived a stunning fightback from Alexander Zverev to win a record eighth Italian Open. Nadal cruised to the first set before defending champion Zverev won nine of the next 11 games to take the second set 6-1 and lead 3-1 in the decider. But the Spaniard turned the match around following a lengthy rain delay and closed out a 6-1 1-6 6-3 victory. The win will see Nadal regain the world number one ranking before the French Open which starts next Sunday. Roger Federer had regained top spot in the rankings when Nadal lost to Dominic Thiem at the Madrid Masters last week, his only defeat on clay this season. Nadal has now won three clay-court titles from four tournaments in the lead-up to his bid for an 11th Roland Garros title in Paris.
Source: BBCSport
Germany’s Alexander Zverev looked every bit a serious French Open title contender as he crushed claycourt specialist Dominic Thiem 6-4 6-4 in the Madrid Open final on Sunday. Oddly the 21-year-old world number three is yet to progress past the last 16 of a grand slam but he now has three Masters 1000 titles to his name and against Thiem played with a swagger that suggests that his record in the majors will improve soon. The second seed broke a nervy-looking Thiem in the opening game thanks to a double-fault and was never really challenged as he produced a clinical serving display in which he did not even offer up a break point. Zverev, who did not face a break point all tournament, broke again right at the start of the second but squandered the chance of a double-break two games later as Thiem, conqueror of Rafael Nadal in the last eight, hung on. There was no chance of a let-up from Zverev though and he remained focused throughout, winning on his first match point when his Austrian opponent returned long.
Source: Reuters
Rafael Nadal continues to make winning on clay look all too easy. The Spanish master extended his dominance on the surface with a 6-2, 6-1 win over 19-year-old Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday to win his 11th Barcelona Open title. Nadal, who also won his 11th Monte-Carlo Masters title last week, was never seriously challenged on his way to a 19th straight victory on clay. The top-ranked Spaniard has now won 46 straight sets on clay, extending his own record. He hasn’t lost on clay since facing Dominic Thiem in Rome last year.
Source: ABC
World number 92 Marco Cecchinato has come to Budapest with just five ATP wins under his belt, looking to qualify for the main draw and continue where he left in Monte Carlo last week. It wasn’t to be for him, though, losing in the second qualifying round to Jurgen Zopp but he still found himself in the main draw as a lucky loser after Laslo Djere was forced to withdraw. Marco grabbed the opportunity with both hands, going all the way to clinch his first ATP title despite never playing in the semi-final at this level before. Cecchinato is the ninth player in the Open era who won an ATP title as a lucky loser and the third in the last two seasons after Andrey Rublev and Leonardo Mayer in Umag and Hamburg last July. The title match has been the most important in a career for both him and John Millman who had an initial disadvantage, having to complete his semi-final match against the 5th seed Aljaz Bedene earlier today to even get a chance to compete in the final.
Source: TennisworldUSA
Rafael Nadal beat Japan’s Kei Nishikori in straight sets in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters to retain his status as world number one. The 31-year-old Spaniard won 6-3 6-2 in 94 minutes to claim a record-extending 11th triumph at the clay-court event. Nadal has won 36 straight sets on his favoured surface after proving too strong for world number 36 Nishikori. He had to win the Masters 1000 tournament to prevent Roger Federer overtaking him in the rankings. “It’s always special for me to be back here, having this trophy. It’s one of the most important events of the year for me,” said Nadal.
Source: BBC Sport
Steve Johnson captured his second consecutive ATP US Clay Court Championship title on Sunday by outlasting fellow American Tennys Sandgren 7-6 (7/2), 2-6, 6-4. Sixth seed Johnson won his third career ATP title, taking two in a row on Houston clay after his first victory came in 2016 at Nottingham. American eighth seed Sandgren, who made a stunning run to the Australian Open quarterfinals in January, was playing in his first tour final.
Source: Supersport