Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships—Tokyo, Japan
Young American Ben Shelton won his maiden ATP Tour title on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan, dismissing Aslan Karatsev 7-5, 6-1.
Needing one hour and 23 minutes to seal his title, Shelton hit three aces, won 80 percent of his first serve points and broke serve on four occasions.
Improving to 2-0 against Karatsev in lifetime meetings, Shelton will move up to No. 14 in the world (a career high) on Monday.
Karatsev, who was looking to win his fourth career title, will move up to No. 37 in the world when the latest rankings are released.
*****
BNP Paribas Nordic Open—Stockholm, Sweden
Entertaining Frenchman Gael Monfils claimed his 12th ATP Tour title on Sunday in Stockholm, Sweden, ousting Pavel Kotov 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3.
Overcoming the loss of the first set, Monfils used his guile and experience to defeat his younger opponent in two hour and 37 minutes.
Hitting seven aces and striking 22 winners, Monfils will be ranked No. 90 in the world when the latest rankings are released.
Kotov, who entered the event as a qualifier, will move up to No. 81 in the world on Monday.
*****
European Open—Antwerp, Belgium
Alexander Bublik captured his third ATP Tour title on Sunday in Antwerp, Belgium, dismissing up-and-coming Frenchman Arthur Fils 6-4, 6-4.
Slamming 11 aces by his opponent, Bublik needed a mere one hour and 15 minutes to prevail.
Adding 29 winners to his impressive victory, Bublik hit a max serve speed of 141 MPH.
Bublik will be ranked No. 30 in the world on Monday, while Fils will improve to No. 38.
Fils ousted top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas en-route to the finals.
*****
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