
Photograph: Getty Images
San Diego, USA (ATP 250)
[5] Brandon Nakashima (USA) def [3] Marcos Giron (USA) 6-4, 6-4
21-year-old American Brandon Nakashima has won his maiden ATP tour singles title, in his hometown of San Diego.
Nakashima, who had lost his two previous finals in June last year, was able to convert a third final into a first title in front of his family and friends.
The 21-year-old overcame counterpart Marcos Giron in a tight final, on the back of some strong serving including nine aces.
Nakashima, who reached the Wimbledon fourth round earlier this year, will now make his ATP top 50 debut – at a live ranking of 48.
It also means that there are now nine American men inside the ATP top 50 – as the next generation continues to show promising signs.
Meanwhile, Aussie Chris O’Connell enjoyed a brilliant week in San Diego, reaching his maiden ATP singles semifinal.
O’Connell’s year had been less successful than he may have hoped for, especially after a massive Australian Open campaign - managing just one win ATP main draw win since January, before this week.
The 28-year-old Aussie overcame Jason Kubler, JJ Wolf and second seed Jenson Brooksby before falling to Nakashima in two tight sets.
O’Connell will rise 25 places to world number 105, as he looks to get himself inside the ATP top 100.
In San Diego doubles action, Aussies Luke Saville and Jason Kubler teamed up to reach the final.
The pair overcame top seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in a deciding super tiebreak, before bowing out to the second seeds in the final.
For Saville, it is his fifth ATP doubles final and unfortunately, a fifth loss, whilst Kubler reached his second doubles final at ATP level.
Metz, France (ATP 250)
Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) def [7] Alexander Bublik (KAZ) 7-6(3), 6-2
27-year-old Lorenzo Sonego has won his third ATP singles title and first since April last year at the Moselle Open in France.
Having previously won titles on clay and grass courts, the Italian has now triumphed on every surface at ATP level.
Sonego entered the draw unseeded in Metz, and overcame Aslan Karatsev, Sebastian Korda, and Hubert Hurkacz on his way to the final.
In Sunday’s decider against Alexander Bublik, the 27-year-old was dominant on serve, winning 82% of points behind his first, and not allowing Bublik to break.
“This is an emotional moment for me, because I’ve had a tough year. Now I’m going to enjoy this moment”, Sonego said post-match.
The Italian will now rise from world number 65 to a live ATP ranking of 45.
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