A MAIDEN ATP Tour title winner, and a couple of past tournament success stories lifted ATP Tour titles yesterday. In the three events across the globe, there was plenty to take out of the results, which we recap below.
ATP TOUR
ABN AMRO WORLD TENNIS TOURNAMENT:
Rotterdam, Netherlands | ATP 500 | Hard
[3] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) defeated [1] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 6-4 6-2
It has been a long time coming, but one of the most unwanted droughts in ATP Tour finals history is over. Canadian third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime has broken through for his first ATP Tour title on his ninth attempt, defeating Greek top seed, Stefanos Tsitsipas. Whilst the Greek talent was 0-7 in ATP 500 event finals – having one other events – Auger-Aliassime was yet to lift an ATP Tour trophy aloft. That all chanced yesterday where his aggressive style got the job done, 6-4 6-2 in 78 minutes.
“I have a lot of good memories playing here in front of you, so thank you for making it a special week for me that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Auger-Aliassime said post-match. “It is the happiest day of my career and hopefully it is the first of many to come.”
DALLAS OPEN:
Dallas, United States | ATP 250 | Hard
[2] Reilly Opelka (USA) defeated [4] Jenson Brooksby (USA) 7-6 7-6
The huge-serving American Reilly Opelka toppled compatriot Jenson Brooksby in a couple of tiebreakers to take out the Dallas Open for the second time. Seeded second at the event, Opelka never faced a break point in the lead-up to the final, and saved the only one he conceded against Brooksby in the decider. It was Opelka’s third title overall, having won this event when it was the New York Open, as well as taking out the Delray Beach Open a couple of years ago as well.
“I thought I played very well under pressure, especially against a great player like Jenson. He makes you very uncomfortable and he took me out of my comfort zone a lot of the match today,” Opelka said post-match. “I really had to play my best tennis to get by and I barely did.”
ARGENTINA OPEN:
Buenos Aires, Argentina | ATP 250 | Clay
[1] Casper Ruud (NOR) defeated [2] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 5-7 6-2 6-3
Top seed Norwegian Casper Ruud came from behind to defeat Diego Schwartzman, winning in a come-from-behind result, 5-7 6-2 6-3. After dropping the first set, the 2020 Argentina Open champion successfully defended his title, and moved to 9-0 at the event. It was also his sixth title since the start of 2021, backing up his five from 2021 with a good start to the season.
“It’s been an unbelievable week,” Ruud said post-match. “To come back here and try to defend the title not from last year but from two years ago has been a challenge, and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
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