Adelaide International, Australia
Auger-Aliassime Captures Adelaide Title; Monfils Triumphs in Auckland; Kessler Wins Hobart Title
Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime notched his sixth career title and first outdoors on Saturday in Adelaide, Australia, defeating No. 2 seed Sebastian Korda 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
Needing one hour and 50 minute to seal his victory, Auger-Aliassime hit 10 aces, won 83 percent of his first serve points and broke serve on three occasions.
Improving to 3-1 against Korda in lifetime meetings, Auger-Aliassime will move up to No. 23 in the world when the latest rankings are released.
Korda, who was looking to win his third career title, fell to 2-9 in championship matches. The talented American had been out of action with a wrist injury. He is currently ranked No. 22 in the world.
On the women’s side, American Madison Keys took home her ninth career title after upsetting top seed and fellow American Jessica Pegula, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
Needing one hour and 43 minutes to seal her title, Keys hit 10 aces, won 73 percent of her first serve points and broke her opponent on six occasions.
Improving to No. 14 in the world ahead of next week’s Australian Open, Keys has started the year in fine form after reaching the quarterfinals in Auckland, New Zealand last week.
Pegula, who continues to be a treat at any tournament that she enters, was looking to capture her seventh career title.
*****
ASB Classic—Auckland, New Zealand
Entertaining Frenchman Gael Monfils won his 13th career ATP Tour title on Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand, dismissing Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4.
Becoming the oldest winner on the circuit since Ken Rosewall won the 1977 Hong Kong title at 43-years-old, Monfils was truly impressive all week.
Proving that his game is still at a very high level, Monfils struck four aces, won 88 percent of his first serve points and broke his Belgium opponent on two occasions.
Monfils will move up to No. 41 in the world on Monday.
Bergs, who was playing in his first-ever ATP Tour final, will improve his ranking to No. 60 on Monday. A new career high for the 25-year-old.
*****
Hobart International—Hobart, Australia
American Mccartney Kessler capped off an impressive week of action in Hobart, Australia, claiming her second-career title over No. 2 seed Elise Mertens 6-4, 3-6, 6-0.
Needing two hours and eight minutes to prevail, Kessler hit three aces, won 61 percent of her first serve points and broke her Belgium opponent on six occasions.
The 25-year-old will be ranked No. 46 in the world on Monday.
Mertens, who was in search of her ninth singles title, will head into the year’s first Major in Australia ranked No. 34 on the computer.
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