German Tennis Championships 2018 presented by Kampmann—Hamburg, Germany
Qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili made history on Sunday in Hamburg, Germany, defeating defending champion Leonardo Mayer 6-4, 0-6, 7-5 to capture the German Tennis Championships and become the first player from Georgia to win an ATP World Tour title.
After claiming the first set, Basilashvili disappeared in the second set before regaining his form to claim his maiden title. Winning 79 percent of his first serve points and striking four aces, Basilashvili also broke Mayer’s serve on two occasions.
Mayer, who was attempting to win his third title in Hamburg, won more points in the match at 91-86 but lost his serve late in the third set to drop the match.
Basilashvili will collect 500 ATP World Tour points for his efforts in what should skyrocket his current of 81 in the world to No. 35.
*****
BB&T Atlanta Open—Atlanta, GA, U.S.A.
Top seed John Isner won his fifth career title in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, upending fellow American Ryan Harrison 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. In a match dominated by big serves and forehands, Isner’s kick serve and ultimately his confidence aided him in winning the 14th title of his career.
Continuing his excellent season on Tour, Isner also won his maiden Masters 1000 title in Miami, Florida earlier this year.
Harrison, who was in search of his second career title, also lost to Isner in last year’s championship match in Atlanta.
Isner will next see action in Washington, D.C. as the No. 2 seed and Harrison will travel to Los Cabos, Mexico where he will take on Peter Polansky in first-round action.
*****
J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open Gstaad—Gstaad, Switzerland
Italian Matteo Berrettini Defeated No. 2 seed Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(9), 6-4 to claim his maiden ATP World Tour title on Sunday in Gstaad, Switzerland. Needing one hour and 45 minutes to capture his crown, Berrettini put forth a dominating service performance which including hitting 17 aces, winning 85 percent of his first serve points and 74 percent of his second serve points. Never facing a break point during the encounter, Berrettini continued his strong season which has included wins over Jack Sock, Frances Tiafoe, and a Challenger title in Irving, Texas.
Bautista Agut, who was in search of his ninth career title, and his third this year, was competing in his 15th career final.
