DAY OF FIRSTS SEES TWO NEW ATP CHAMPIONS

Photograph: Hall of Fame Open

Hall of Fame Open

Maxime Cressy won his maiden ATP Tour title, defeating Alexander Bublik 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) in the Infosys Hall of Fame Open Championship Final.

Cressy staged a remarkable comeback, coming back from a set and 0-3 down in the second set to prevail in an entertaining contest.

The big-serving American will rise to a career-high No. 33 in the ATP Rankings.

The title caps off a meteoric rise for Cressy who just 12 months ago was outside the world’s top 150.

“It’s an incredible feeling to win my first title, I never thought I would win it this way,” Cressy said.

“I played my first ATP tournament here, and it’s always an incredible atmosphere. There were a lot of ups and downs today but I’m very proud of myself for fighting through it.”

Cressy will now have his sight set on being seeded for the US Open, which commences in August.

Nordea Open Bastad

On a day of firsts on the ATP Tour, Francisco Cerundolo claimed his first title on the ATP Tour. Cerundolo prevailed 7-6(4), 6-2 over compatriot Sebastian Baez in the final of the Nordea Open in Bastad.

Cerundolo showed no scars from his maiden final in 2021, where he only won three games against Diego Schwartzman. His clean hitting from the baseline and ability to make Baez play the extra shot proved the difference.

For the first time in his career, the Argentinian will be ranked inside the top 30 of the ATP Rankings.

Cerundolo has had tremendous results on clay in 2022. He reached the quarterfinals at the ATP 500 tournament in Buenos Aires and the semi-finals in Rio de Janeiro.

“Since you are a child you imagine yourself playing in these events and finals. When I lost in Buenos Aires, I was sad, because I was at home and I lost badly, but I learned a lot from that. I used it today, and I think I played a great match, a great week.”

Cerundolo will now turn his attention to the American hard-court swing.