Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships—Dubai, U.A.E.
No. 2 seed Roger Federer notched his 100th career title and eighth in Dubai on Saturday as he defeated new top 10 entrant Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4.
Needing one hour and 10 minutes to seal his victory, Federer hit six aces, won 86 percent of his first serve points and broke serve on two occasions. Never losing his own delivery, Federer avenged a loss to Tsitsipas earlier this year at the Australian Open. The Swiss legend also improved to 8-1 on the season.
Tsitsipas, who has been like a house on fire in 2019, continued his tremendous form on the year, which has seen him reach the semifinals of the Australian Open and win the title in Marsielle. The Greek youngster will enter the top 10 for the first time in his career at No. 10 on Monday.
*****
Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC—Acapulco, Mexico
Australian Nick Kyrgios capped off the biggest week of his career on Saturday in Acapulco, Mexico, defeating No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 to capture his fifth career ATP Tour title.
Slamming 13 aces and winning 77 percent of his first serve points, Kyrgios broke his younger opponent on three occasions, while conceding his own serve once. Improving to 4-3 against Zverev in lifetime meetings, Kyrgios also defeated top seed Rafael Nadal, three-time Major Stan Wawrinka and world No. 9 John Isner en-route to the title.
Currently ranked No. 72 in the world, Kyrgios is set to move up to approximately No. 31 in the rankings on Monday.
Zverev, who was in search of his 11th career title, is currently ranked No. 3 in the world.
*****
Brasil Open—Sao Paulo, Brazil
Argentine Guido Pella won his maiden ATP Tour title on Sunday in Sao Paulo, Brazil, dismissing Christian Garin from Chile 7-5, 6-3.
Entering the event ranked No. 48 in the world, Pella used his left-handed serve and double-handed backhand to great effect to off-set the rhythm of his younger opponent. Previously losing in the finals of four Tour events (including earlier this year in Cordoba, Argentina), Pella broke the 22-year-old late in the first set, and set the tempo earlier in set two by breaking serve once again. Improving to 12-5 on the season, Pella will increase his ranking by approximately 15-16 spots on Monday. He’s currently No. 48 in the world.
Garin, who was also aiming to win his first title on Tour, is currently ranked No. 92 in the world. He defeated the likes of Jaume Munar, Leonardo Mayer and Caspur Ruud en route to the finals.
Photo: Guillermo Sanchez
