Open Sud de France—Montpellier, France
Kazakstan’s Alexander Bublik captured his maiden ATP Tour title on Sunday in Montpelier, France, defeating world No. 3 and top seed Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-3. Needing a very efficient one hour and nine minutes to prevail, Bublik struck eight aces, won 86 percent of his first serve points and broke the serve of his opponent on four occasions.
Improving to 2-0 against Zverev in lifetime meetings, Bublik will hit a new career high of No. 31 in the world on Monday.
Zverev, who entered the event after a disappointing fourth-round exit at the Australian Open, struggled on his second serve all match, winning just 31 percent (5-16).
The German defeated Mikhail Ymer in the semifinals.
*****
Tata Open Maharashtra—Pune, India
Portuguese star Joao Sousa won his fourth career title on Sunday in Pune, India, defeating rising star Emil Ruusuvuori 7-6(9), 4-6, 6-1. Needing two hours and 44 minutes to seal his title, Sousa won a challenging first set before dropping the second set to his inspired opponent. With everything to play for in set three, Sousa elevated his game and breezed to the title in impressive fashion.
Currently ranked No. 137 in the world, Sousa will re-enter the top 100 at No. 86 on Monday.
Ruusuvuori, who is currently ranked No. 87 in the world, will move up to No. 71 when the latest rankings are released. The 22-year-old defeated No. 4 seed Jiri Vesely earlier in the event.
*****
Cordoba Open—Cordoba, Argentina
Veteran Spaniard Albert Ramos Vinolas won his fourth ATP Tour tile on Sunday in Cordoba, Argentina, dispatching Canadian born Chilean Alejandro Tablio 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The 34-year-old, who entered the week ranked No. 44, displayed the same kind of tennis on Sunday that saw him upend No. 4 seed Lorenzo Sonego earlier in the tournament.
Known for having most of his success on clay, Ramos Vinolas hit three aces and won 57 percent of his first serve points.
Improving to No. 32 in the world on Monday, Ramos Vinolas has also made seven other finals on Tour.
Tablio, who was playing in his first-career final, defeated top seed Diego Schwartzman in the semifinals.
