Four First Time Champions

Four

There were four first time champions today, two of them can be considered veterans of the sport; one turned professional in 2015 and the fourth is still just only seventeen years old (a relative newbie to the professional scene).

FourGERMAN OPEN

Nikoloz Basilashvili has always impressed me with the pace of his shots; yet, he has also frustrated me by what appears to be a lack of focus/commitment. With a new coach on hand, the Georgian won his first singles ATP World Tour title by defeating the defending champion, Leonardo Mayer, and in the process, gained the biggest victory of his career.  Despite a loss of focus in the second set, Basilashvili was able to regain his composure to win 6-4, 0-6, 7-5.

SOURCE OF IMAGE: Zimbio.com (Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe-Nikoloz Basilashvili)

 

JIANGXI OPEN

Qiang Wang defeated her fellow country woman, Saisai Zheng, 7-5, 4-0. Zheng served for the first set at 5-4 up and Wang broke back to even the match and then broke again to secure the first set. Struggling physically, Zheng could not rebound and after being broken twice in the second set, she retired.  With the retirement, Wang was able to capture her first WTA Tour title.

SOURCE OF IMAGE: Zimbio.com (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe- Qiang Wang)

 

SWISS OPEN GSTAAD

Matteo Berrettini upended the second seed, Roberto Bautista Agut, 7-6(9), 6-4. The young Italian capped off his weekend with the doubles title as well. He teamed up with fellow Italian, Daniele Bracciali, to capture the doubles trophy.

 

SOURCE OF IMAGES: Zimbio.com (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe-Matteo Berrettini)

 

 

MOSCOW RIVER CUP

In the battle of seventeen year olds, Olga Danilovic controlled the nerves better in the third set to secure her first WTA Tour singles title. Understandably they were both nervous and emotions ran high; thus, it was no surprise that they traded breaks in all three sets. Overcome by a bout of nerves, Danilovic was unable to serve out the match at 5-4 up in the second set. However, the young Serbian regrouped in the third set to defeat Anastasia Potapova 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-4. It was her first victory over the Russian in six tries and she became the first lucky loser to win the title.

SOURCE OF IMAGE: Zimbio.com (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe- Olga Danilovic)

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