Hamburg European Open—Hamburg, Germany
Defending champion Nikoloz Basilashvili reclaimed his crown in Hamburg, Germany on Sunday, defeating Andrey Rublev 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. In a match that featured two players with breath-taking forehands, it was Basilashvili who took his chances late in the first set before losing his focus midway during the second set. With the title on the line, the defending champ regrouped and notched his third career title.
The 27-year-old needed two hours and seven minutes to claim his second victory over his Russian opponent. Basilashvili has now won all three of his ATP Tour titles at the 500 level.
Rublev, who was coming back on Tour after a lengthy injury, dismissed top seed Dominic Thiem earlier in the week.
*****
BB&T Atlanta Open—Atlanta, GA, U.S.A.
Australian Alex de Minaur continued his steady climb on Tour by claiming the second of his career on Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia, dismissing American Taylor Fritz 6-3, 7-6(2).
Using court speed and consistent baseline game to great effect, de Minaur kept his powerful opponent on his heels during the one hour and 17 minute encounter.
Winning the title in Sydney, Australia to begin the year, de Minaur is currently ranked No. 34 win the world.
Fritz, who was looking to continue his great summer on Tour, recently won his maiden title in Eastbourne, Great Britain prior to Wimbledon.
*****
J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open Gstaad—Gstaad, Switzerland
Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas notched his second-career title on Sunday in Gstaad, Switzerland, upending first-time ATP Tour finalist Cedrik-Marcel Stebe 6-3, 6-2.
In a match that was delayed by rain, Ramos-Vinolas proved his class throughout the encounter by dictating with his left-handed forehand. Winning 70 percent of his first serve points, Ramos-Vinolas broke serve on four of seven occasions, while losing his own delivery once.
Previously winning the title in Bastad, Switzerland in 2016, Ramos-Vinolas has also made the finals of five other Tour events.
Stebe, who has had a slew of injuries throughout his career, is currently ranked No. 455 in the world. He was ranked as high as No. 71 on the computer in February 2012.
