CASPER Ruud is the only ATP Tour player to have collected five titles this year after winning in San Diego, as Jannik Sinner edged close to a ATP Finals slot after winning his third in 2021.

SAN DIEGO OPEN ATP 250 FINAL RESULT:

[2] Casper Ruud (NOR) defeated Cameron Norrie (GBR) 6-0 6-2

One of the most in-form players on Tour, Ruud became the most accomplished one of the year, with his fifth title surpassing world number one Novak Djokovic, and other Top 5 players Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev on four titles in the process. More importantly for Ruud, it was a case of finally overcoming the criticism that he could not win on hard courts, storming past Cameron Norrie in the final. 6-0 6-2 in a ridiculously dominant performance.

“Special thanks to Rod (Laver, who presented the trophy), obviously the legend. I think you need to come to all my matches now because I’m playing really good when you come and watch,” Ruud said during the trophy ceremony. “I hope you will come to Indian Wells next week to watch, so let’s see [what happens there]!”

Ruud had the easier run into the final, defeating Andy Murray, Lorenzo Sonego and Grigor Dimitrov on his way, whilst Norrie stunned Andrey Rublev, Denis Shapovalov and Daniel Evans in outstanding wins. In the decider though, Ruud needed just 62 minutes to grab the win, not facing a break point and winning 74 and 64 per cent of his first and second serve points off a 66 per cent clip, whilst breaking Norrie five times across the two sets.

SOFIA OPEN ATP 250 FINAL RESULT:

[1] Jannik Sinner (ITA) defeated [2] Gael Monfils (FRA) 6-3 6-4

Top seed and Next-Gen young gun Sinner has gone back-to-back in Sofia, not even dropping a set on the way to the title. Having collected his maiden ATP Tour title at the Bulgarian event last year, the Italian 20-year-old has now added three more titles to his repertoire, with Sofia joining Washington 500 and Melbourne 250 events earlier in the year. In this final, he defeated French veteran Gael Monfils in straight sets, 6-3 6-4 in 78 minutes of action.

The result was a lot simply than the pair’s clash at this year’s US Open, where the Italian had to battle through five sets after having a 2-0 lead, to eventually win 7-6 6-2 4-6 4-6 6-4 in three hours and 42 minutes. Sinner was unbeatable off his first serve, winning 25 of a possible 27 points, and even collected 63 per cent of his second serve points off a lower 50 per cent clip. He saved both break points he faced, whilst breaking Monfils twice from four opportunities, which was all he needed.

“The level was high today,” Sinner said post-match. “We had long, long rallies and it was physical as well. I am happy to be the winner here in Sofia again. I think it is a very nice tournament. It was the best match [I have played this week] because I had to.”

The 2019 Next-Gen Finals winner will now set his sights on the ATP Finals next month, with his third 2021 title putting him in 10th spot overall. With a number of injury question marks hanging over those above him, Sinner will be every chance to push for a spot at the Turin event. Sinner remained at 14th in the world rankings, though Monfils received a boost by reaching the final, advancing to spots up to 18th, still a far cry from his career-high of sixth.

CHALLENGER TOUR:

ATP 125 – Orleans: Henri Laaksonen (SUI) defeated Dennis Novak (AUT) 6-1 2-6 6-2
ATP 80 – Lima: [3] Hugo Dellien (BOL) defeated [8] Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) 6-3 7-5
ATP 80 – Lisbon: [8] Dmitry Popko (KAZ) defeated Andrea Pellegrino (ITA) 6-2 6-4
ATP 80 – Sibiu: [1] Stefano Travaglia (ITA) defeated [7] Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 7-6 6-2
ATP 80 – Murcia: [2] Tallon Griekspoor (NED) defeated [1] Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 3-6 7-5 6-3

On the Challenger Tour, Switzerland’s Henri Laaksonen moved into the Top 100 with a 20-ranking boost thanks to his ATP 125 title at Orleans, France. Laaksonen defeated Austrian Dennis Novak in the final, 6-1 2-6 6-2 to take out the title and boost his ranking up to 98th, just five spots short of his career-high 93rd in the world. Meanwhile Bolivian Hugo Dellien moved up four spots to 136th in the world with a straight sets win at Lima, while Kazakhstan’s Dimitry Popko had a 23-spot boost up to 164th in the world to officially achieve a career high after a big win at Lisbon.

In the most anticipated ATP Challenger Final of the week, Italian top seed Stefano Travaglia managed to defeat comeback king Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight sets, winning 7-6 6-2 in Sibiu to move eight spots up to 89th in the world. The unlucky Kokkinakis continued his return from injury well, with his finals appearance seeing him rise 11 spots up to 183rd in the world. Also receiving a rankings boost was Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, who advanced 13 places up to 118th in the world after his title in Murcia, whilst top seed Roberto Carballes Baena advanced seven spots to 81st overall.

From a Next-Gen perspective, Hugo Gaston achieved a new career-high of 111th after a five-spot boot for his semi-finals appearance in Lisbon, with 19-year-old Italian Flavio Cobolli‘s semi-final run at Murcia also helping him rise to 242nd spot. Spaniard Nicola Kuhn rose to 25th with a qualifying final run at Murcia, while from an ATP Tour perspective both Sebastian Korda (two spots up to 40th) and Brandon Nakashima (four spots up to 79th) achieved career-highs from second round appearances at San Diego.

Picture credit: ATP Tour