ASB CLASSIC (Auckland) Championship Match

Cameron Norrie of Great Britain who is ranked ninety-three, had a winning advantage over the American, Tennys Sandgren, in futures and challenger matches (4:2); however, this was their first meeting on the ATP World Tour. Sandgren currently ranked sixty-three was hoping that his second shot at a title would be successful, while Norrie was hoping he would be first time lucky.

They traded breaks early in the first set, as expected there were some early nerves, until Sandgren consolidated his second break. Norrie continued to surprise the American with his lefty serve and forehand; however, he could not capitalize on his break point opportunities late in the first set. Sandgren had to work overtime to keep the lead but he impressed with his serve and mobility around the court. His backhand also won him some crucial points and he sealed the first set with an ace.

The second set was much easier for the American, who broke twice and saved both break opportunities against his serve. Sandgren won 6-4, 6-2 and captured his first ATP World Tour title.

IMAGE: Tennys Sandgren/ Getty Images AsiaPac.

HOBART INTERNATIONAL (Australia) Championship Match

Sofia Kenin (USA), ranked thirty-seven, won their only previous encounter; however, the resurgent Slovakian was hoping to turn things around in this match. Ranked fifty-nine, Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) also hoped to capture her fourth title to cement her return to the top hundred. Meanwhile the American was playing in her first final and hoping to win it.

Kenin struggled to hold her second service game in the first set; however, she evened the match at 2:2.  Schmiedlova had experience on her side; however, her confidence was not quite there. Her serve let her down and she over hit quite a few balls beyond the baseline. Kenin utilized her two-handed backhand to keep the Slovakian on her heels. After squandering her opportunity to break the American, Schmiedlova promptly surrendered her serve in the fifth game at love. Yet, the Slovakian fought back and immediately broke back to even the set at 3:3.

Unfortunately, that was the last game Schmiedlova won. Kenin won 6-3, 6-0 and captured her first WTA singles title. She showed no signs of nerves in set two and she will march into the Australian Open full of confidence.

IMAGE: Sofia Kenin by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America

SPECIAL MENTION: SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL (Australia) Championship Match

Australian Alex de Minaur had to pull double duty, he won his semifinal match earlier in the day and then he came back to defeat Andreas Seppi 7-5, 7-6(5) to capture his first singles title. Seppi had the early break lead but could not hold on to it and then things unraveled for the Italian. They traded one break each in the second set, but once again the Italian came up short. The youthful determination of de Minaur served him well; he ran down every ball and kept the pressure on Seppi the entire match even when he was down a break. Despite his experience, the Italian never looked comfortable and perhaps that fragile confidence was his undoing (he did not quite believe even when he was ahead).

SOURCE OF IMAGES: Zimbio.com (main pic: Alex de Minaur by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images AsiaPac).