It was a Sunday of two significant firsts on the ATP side of things: Andy Murray won his first ATP Tour singles title since his hip surgeries and Denis Shapovalov claimed his first ATP Tour singles title.

European Open, Belgium (Antwerp) 

[18] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs. [243] Andy Murray (GBR)

Murray led their head-to-head 11:8 prior to this meeting; however, a lot has changed for both players, who fell out of the top ten and the top two hundred following surgeries. For Murray it was his hip and for Wawrinka, it was the knee. Now both are looking to regain their place atop the rankings.

Wawrinka made his first ATP singles final post surgeries earlier this season in Rotterdam, but this was Murray’s first singles final since his surgeries. Neither player had won a singles title since 2017, so a lot was at stake for both players. Murray is showing the fight that he was known for pre-hip surgery and today it was on full display once again as he had to battle back from a set down to defeat Wawrinka 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to claim perhaps the most significant title of his career.

Shapovalov Claims First Title

Intrum Stockholm Open, Sweden

[34] Denis Shapovalov (CAN) vs. [60] Filip Krajinovic (SRB)

Krajinovic was hoping the third time would be the charm, three trips to the final and he will have to continue waiting to claim his first ATP Tour singles title. There has been so much talk about Shapovalov, who gained worldwide attention when he defeated Rafael Nadal at an ATP Masters 1000 event in Montreal in 2017, and today he delivered. In his first career singles final, Shapovalov did not hesitate when he got the chance to capitalize on the opportunity to claim his first title. The 2017 ATP Star of the Future won 6-4, 6-4, claiming what many believes is the first of many and he will never forget this Sunday.

Ostapenko Rediscovers Her Form

BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open

[26] Julia Goerges (GER) vs. [63] Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)

It was the first meeting between these two former top ten players. Goerges was gunning for her second singles title of the season; however, Ostapenko had not won a singles title since 2017. All the pressure was on the Latvian but with her new coach, she seems to have found a new lease on her game and is playing some of her best tennis late in the season. The Latvian served so well, she never allowed Goerges an opportunity to break her serve in the 6-4, 6-1 victory.

Rublev Denies Mannarino His 2nd Title

VTB Kremlin Cup, Moscow

Men’s Championship Match: [31] Andrey Rublev (RUS) vs. [44] Adrian Mannarino (FRA)

It was the first meeting between these two. It was Mannarino’s ninth singles final and he was hoping to clinch his second title of his career as well as of the season; however, Rublev had other plans. The fiery Russian was in his fourth career singles final and was aiming to claim his first singles title since 2017. The young Russian wants to prove that he deserves to be in the conversation of the next top tenners on the ATP Tour and this 6-4, 6-0 victory certainly will help his cause. This loss will be another blow for the Frenchman, who has only won one title in nine finals.

Bencic Cements Her Spot In Shenzhen

Women’s Championship Match: [10] Belinda Bencic (SUI) vs. [40] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)

Bencic led their head-to-head 3:1. Unfortunately for Pavlyuchenkova, the last time she was able to defeat Bencic was in 2015. Although the Russian took the first set, she lost her way completely after that. The Russian has not won a title since Strasbourg, 2018 and looks like she may have to wait until 2020 to win her thirteenth singles title. Meanwhile, this is Bencic’s second title of the season and with the 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory, she heads to the WTA Finals in Shenzhen with tons of confidence.

SOURCE OF IMAGES: Zimbio.com (main-Getty Images Europe: Andy Murray)