TWO huge ATP 250 events were decided overnight, with a couple of first-time grass court title winners coming to the fore. Top seed and wildcard entry Daniil Medvedev was far too strong for unseeded American Sam Querrey in Spain, whilst in England it was second seed Australian Alex De Minaur who earned a tough three-set victory over third seed Lorenzo Sonego.

At Mallorca, neither player backed down with hard-hitting American Querrey working hard to test the efforts of Medvedev but to no avail as the Russian commanded control, claiming the 6-4 6-2 victory in just over an hour. Whilst Querrey may have hit more aces (11-10), he was significantly more error-ridden on serve with five double faults to his name, and a shaking second serve backing up his otherwise strong first serve, winning 81 per cent of first serve points. Medvedev was far more effective on serve, winning 80 per cent of his overall service points, and collecting 23 of Querrey’s points on return.

“I’ve always liked playing on grass. Four years ago, I would say that it was my favourite surface. But after my results on hard courts I couldn’t say anything else other than hard courts, and I still like playing on hard courts more,” Medvedev said.

“It was important for me to get these things like titles going, because we don’t have a lot of tournaments [on this surface]. I’m happy to get this title, but I’m looking forward to the biggest challenge on grass, which is Wimbledon.”

“[This win] feels great because I came here trying to win some matches and I managed to do it. It’s always a good feeling and it gives you a lot of confidence,” he said. “Talking about Wimbledon or not, a title is a title. I’m very happy with my level, and I played my best match of the tournament today. Everything is only positive.”

Meanwhile at Eastbourne, it was top-ranked Australian De Minaur that claimed the win and a career-high world number 15 ahead of Wimbledon this week, working hard to overcome a first set deficit to eventually defeat Sonego 4-6 6-4 7-6(5) in two hours and 40 minutes flat. With little between the two seeds throughout the tight clash, it was De Minaur’s efficient first serve and resulting win-rate on serve, also saving six of Sonego’s eight break point opportunities.

“I had to pull through all my mental strength I had. I had to tell myself to try and be a bit more aggressive and go to win that match, not just wait for my opponent to lose it, because he was not going to do that,” De Minaur said. “I am very happy to have played more aggressively in the important points and stay in there, as it was not an easy match. I am happy to have my fifth title.

“My first emotion is relief, for finally getting these results, and ecstatic I have been able to pull through and play some good tennis. Every match has helped me confidence wise and strategy wise. Every mach I play, I take little things, what I could have done better, what I want to do next time I am in that position.”

VIKING INTERNATIONAL EASTBOURNE FINAL RESULT:

[2] Alex De Minaur (AUS) defeated [3] Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) 4-6 6-4 7-6

MALLORCA CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL RESULT:

[1] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated Sam Querrey (USA) 6-4 6-2

Picture credit: CameraSport via Getty Images