Tata Open Maharashtra—Pune, India
Top seed Kevin Anderson survived a serving onslaught from Ivo Karlovic on Saturday in Pune, India to capture his sixth ATP Tour title with a 7-6(4), 6-7(2), 7-6(5) scoreline. Never facing a break point during the two hour and 45 minute match, Anderson outlasted 36 aces by Karlovic, while dropping 21 of his own. The 32-year-old continued his high level of play from the end of the 2018 and will now look for a stellar result at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Karlovic, 39, was the oldest finalist in an ATP Tour event in 42 years.
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Qatar ExxonMobil Open—Doha, Qatar
Seventh seed Roberto Bautista Agut capped off a sensational week of play in Doha, Qatar on Saturday evening, capturing his ninth career title over former top five player Tomas Berdych 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Defeating top seed Novak Djokovic in semifinals, Bautista Agut continued to prove that he’s one of the toughest players on the circuit by wearing down his Czech opponent.
Striking five aces and winning 71 percent of his first serve points, Bautista Agut needed one hour and 56 minutes to claim his victory.
Berdych, who has been missing from action for the last six months due to injury, showed great poise on court throughout the event. Berdych is currently ranked No. 71 in the world.
Brisbane International—Brisbane, Australia
Japanese star Kei Nishikori claimed the 12th title of his career on Sunday in Brisbane, Australia, dismissing Danill Medvedev 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. In a match that featured the baseline consistency of Nishikori versus the power of Medvedev, it was Nishikori that blazed out to a one set lead before the Russian stormed back to win set two. Not to be outdone, Nishikori broke three times in the final set to seal his victory.
Returning from injury last year, Nishikori has once again become a staple in the top 10.
Medvedev, who had a breakout year in 2018, continued to prove that he also has the game to enter a top 10 position be year’s end. The 22-year-old currently stands at No. 16 in the world.
