Sydney International—Sydney, Australia
Russian Daniil Medvedev captured his maiden career title at the Sydney International on Saturday, defeating Australian upstart Alex de Minaur 1-6, 6-4, 7-5. In a match that lasted two hours and 13 minutes, Medvedev overcame a lopsided first set to defeat his 18-year-old opponent. Winning 67 percent of his first serve points and 56 percent of his second serve points, Medvedev broke serve on four occasions, while adding four aces to his winner total.
De Minaur, who has experienced an incredible start to 2018, also made the semifinals in Brisbane last week. The world No. 167 collected another 150 ATP World Tour points for his efforts and will improve his ranking to approximately No. 125 on Monday.
De Minaur is slated to take on Tomas Berdych in first round action at next week’s Australian Open.
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ASB Classic—Auckland, New Zealand
Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut continued to prove his professionalism on the ATP World Tour on Saturday by ousting former US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday. Taking the match by a score of 6-1, 4-6, 7-5, Bautista Agut fought off his fourth straight loss to del Potro by breaking serve on four occasions and using his forehand cross court to counter the mighty forehand of the Argentine. Winning 76 percent of his first serve points, Bautista Agut added seven aces to winning his seventh career title.
Del Potro, who will re-enter the top 10 on Monday as a result of his efforts, failed to convert on his lone break point in the final set of the match.
