Errani, Ferrer, Karlovic, Simon Win ATP/WTA Titles
Ferrer Eases Past Fognini for Rio Open Title
David Ferrer rolled over Fabio Fognini, who was unable to conjure the magic he displayed when defeating Rafael Nadal in the semifinals, 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the Rio Open on Sunday.
ADHEREL
“It’s my 23rd tournament win and I never won here before in Rio,” said Ferrer, who claimed his second title of the year. “I had the chance to be in the Carnaval this week and all the facilities are good. This week is very special. I have a lot of confidence with my game.”
Fognini had less confidence, falling to 0-8 career against Ferrer,
“When you lose in a final, you’re always disappointed,” said Fognini, who dropped to 3-6 in career finals. “It’s a big week for me. Yesterday I beat Rafa. It’s a big tournament and I’m happy because I put in a lot of work mentally and physically. To be 100 percent against David it is difficult.”
Simon Wins All-French Final at ATP Marseille
Gilles Simon rose to No. 16 on the ATP Rankings after defeating fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4) for his second career title at the Open 13 in Marseille, France.
“It was a great week, but a tough one physically,” said Simon, who continued to dominate Monfils in their head-to-head, improving to 5-1. “I left a lot of energy against [Borna] Coric (second round) and then it was hard to recover from this one. I’m happy I won here since I won my first tournament in Marseille.”
It was the first title for the 30 year old since Metz in 2013. Monfils dropped to 5-17 career in finals.
“I’m disappointed,” said Monfils, who has now gone 12 months without a title. “It was a great match and we both played really well.”
Karlovic Serves Up Delray Beach Open Championship
Croat Ivo Karlovic set a number of personal records on Sunday with a 6-3, 6-3 win in the final of the Delray Beach Open over American Donald Young.
Karlovic, who will turn 36 in one week, became the oldest winner of a tour event since Jimmy Connors won in Tel Aviv in 1989 at 37 years, one month. He won his first title since 2013, snapping a losing streak that saw him go 0-4 in finals last year.
“It was really satisfying also for me to do this at my age, and it gives me a boost of confidence when I go into the other tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami,” Karlovic said. “Last year, I was in four finals and I lost all of them, so I really wanted to do this one good. I was focused; I was doing my thing and it paid off.”
His thing was dropping 13 aces on Young and saving all seven break points he faced. He hit a tournament record 91 aces during the week. The Croat improved to 6-7 in career finals, while Young, who reached the Bangkok final in 2011, fell to 0-2.
“He kind of tosses in the same spot and can hit all the spots on the court,” Young said of the Karlovic serve. “You look and see some tendencies. I was able to pick quite a few, but just not when it actually mattered.”
Errani Takes Rio Open Title
Sara Errani is closing on a Top 10 ranking after Sunday defeating first-time finalist Anna Schmiedlova 7-6(2), 6-1 in the final of the Rio Open.
“The first set was tough. We played more than an hour,” Errani said. “We were both fighting hard in that set — she was playing very well and not giving me anything, really. It was also the first time I played her so I needed some time to find my tactics.”
For Schmiedlova it was her first WTA event reaching the quarterfinal round.
“She was moving really well and she’s a really great player,” Schmiedlova said. “I played some very good tennis in the first set — the second set was worse, but I’m so happy I was in the final.”
You Might Like:
ATP/WTA Previews: Nadal in Barcelona, Loaded WTA Stuttgart
Tsonga, Ferrer, Kvitova Among 6 ATP/WTA Title Winners
ATP/WTA Previews: Soderling, Verdasco Headline Bastad
ATP/WTA Weekend Wraps: Wozniacki Keeps Pace with McIlroy
ATP Preview: The Slazenger Open, Nottingham