The Weekly Recap: Pro Tennis Around the Globe
Jun 18, 2024
de Minaur Triumphs at the Libema Open
Above: Alex de Minaur. Photo: Corinne Dubreuil / ATP Tour.
Alex de Minaur is the new champion at the Libema Open. Seeded 1st, the Australian didn't have a very difficult time this week—he won each match in two sets and overcame some difficult opponents. He opened against Zizou Bergs on Thursday, defeating the Belgian 7-5, 6-4. Next up was Milos Raonic, who didn't prove to be a challenge for de Minaur, losing 5-7, 2-6. His semi-final against Frenchman Ugo Humbert proved to be the hardest test yet. Up 4-0 in the first set, de Minaur looked to be just gaining steam. But Humbert bounced back, winning five games in a row at 5-4, and had two set points. But de Minaur saved himself an early flight home in the tiebreak, and won the next set with ease, 6-3. In the final against Sebastian Korda, the Australian showed no signs of slowing his roll, winning very handily 6-2, 6-4, to claim his ninth title.
Boulter Survives a Scary Week in Nottingham
Above: Katie Boulter. Photo: Peter Menzel - Katie Boulter, CC BY-SA 2.0.
This week for Katie Boulter was a bit tumultuous, to say the least. Maybe the stress levels would have been lower, but the Brit was defending her title on the pristine British grass. Her first test came against Harriet Dart, and after an hour Boulter found herself down a set, close to defeat. But she persevered and won the following two sets to place her in the round of 16. She next played Canadian Rebecca Marino, who proved not to be a hassle to Boulter at all, with the Brit sweeping by in straights. Once again her quarter-final wasn't a challenge, and Magdalena Frech was not able to win more than a few games a set against the home favorite. The semi-final was where things got interesting. Former US Open champion Emma Radacanu stepped on court, and took the first set in a stunning tiebreak, 15-13. But Boulter kept her composure, winning the following 6-3, 6-4. A similar pattern emerged in the final, where Karolina Pliskova took the first set 6-4 against Boulter, but the Brit sprung back to win 6-3, 6-2. Despite being close to defeat, the 3rd seed took the Nottingham trophy home once again.
Liudmila Samsonova is the Champion in Rosmalen
Above: Liudmila Samsonova. Photo: si.robi, CC BY-SA 2.0.
In the outskirts of 's-Hertogenbosch, Liudmila Samsonova returned to the winners circle this week! Her first three matches, against Alison Van Uytvanck, Celine Naif, and Greet Minnen were not challenges for the second seed, who handled them all with two set wins. Her semi-final against Ekaterina Alexandrova was a bit different, though. After taking the first set 6-3, Samsonova looked to be in the driver's seat, but once the second set was pushed to a tiebreak, Alexandrova kicked her out of the car and took off speeding, winning the tiebreak 7-1. But Samsonova regained her momentum, and perhaps the fatigue got to Alexandrova as Samsonova was able to win that final set 6-1. Her final against Bianca Andreescu was also a little tricky. The Canadian was able to win the first set 6-4, but Samsonova sprung back to claim the title 6-3, 7-5 in the final two sets.
Jack Draper Wins in Stuggart
Above: Jack Draper. Photo: Corinne Dubreuil / ATP Tour.
Jack Draper is the champion at the Boss Open! It was a challenge this week no doubt, but Draper was able to navigate rough seas to win five difficult matches. First up was Sebastian Ofner, who lost 6-7, 6-7. A slew of Americans came next—Marcos Giron, Frances Tiafoe, and Brandon Nakashima all lost to the Brit in nail biting three set clashes. The final challenge was Matteo Berrettini. Despite the fact that this was a Hugo Boss sponsored tournament and Berrettini is a brand ambassador who clearly felt very comfortable at the event, Jack Draper survived the un-seeded scare winning 3-6, 7-6, 6-4. This was also the Brit's first title.
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Written by Will Turvey. Top Photo: Corinne Dubreuil / ATP Tour.