Novak Djokovic lifted the Astana Open trophy in Kazakhstan after sealing a cushty 6-3 6-4 victory over third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, whereas Barbora Krejcikova got here from a set all the way down to beat world No 1 Iga Swiatek in the Agel Open closing.
The Wimbledon champion took his win streak to 9 after wrapping up the ultimate in 75 minutes with out going through a break level as he booked his place at subsequent month’s ATP Finals.
“I’m just very grateful and blessed to be able to play this well at this stage of my life,” stated Djokovic.
It was the fourth title of the yr for 35-year-old Djokovic and the ninetieth tour-level trophy of his profession.
When the on-court interviewer noticed Djokovic in all probability by no means dreamed of 90 ATP Tour titles, the 21-time Grand Slam winner shook his head.
“I dared to dream, actually,” Djokovic stated. “I at all times hoped that I might be going to have an incredible profession.
“Obviously, I didn’t know the amount of finals I was going to play, the amount of tournaments I was going to win, but my intention was always to reach the highest heights in our sport.”
He added: “I’m just very grateful and blessed to be able to play this well at this stage of my life. You know, 35 is not 25.
“But I believe the expertise, in all probability, in these sorts of matches and large events helps as effectively to method mentally in the best manner.
“I could not ask for a better restart of the season. I’m super pumped and motivated to end the season as well as I have done these past couple of weeks.”
Greek Tsitsipas has now misplaced all 9 ATP 500 finals he has reached.
Krejcikova prevails from a set down in opposition to Swiatek
Barbora Krejcikova rallied from a set down and finally received the longest championship match of 2022 to this point
Krejcikova got here from a set all the way down to beat world No 1 Swiatek on residence soil in the ultimate of the Agel Open in Ostrava.
The Czech battled to a 5-7 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 victory in three hours and 16 minutes to say her fifth WTA Tour singles title and her second in as many weeks.
Krejcikova, 26, handed Swiatek simply her second profession defeat in 12 tour-level singles finals, and first in three years. The US Open champion had received her final 10 finals with out dropping a set, together with all seven in 2022.
“Iga, you’ve been ruling the whole season, you’ve been beating everybody on the tour so I’m really sorry for today, but I’m really glad that I beat you,” Krejcikova advised Swiatek with a smile on the presentation ceremony.
“It was an amazing match. I think we both gave our all. Thank you for bringing the best out of me today.”
Belgium’s Elise Mertens stormed to her first title of the yr, thrashing third seed Alize Cornet 6-2 6-0 in the ultimate of the inaugural Jasmin Open.
Mertens, who received the final 11 video games in succession, stated: “It means a lot. I had a pretty tough year.
“When they stated I used to be in my first semi-final this yr, I used to be like, ‘Okay, it is October, it is by no means too late to begin the yr, or finish the yr with a very good one.’ So I’m very glad about it.”
Fritz edges out Tiafoe to win Japan Open final
Taylor Fritz sealed a 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) win over fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a tense Japan Open final to secure his third title of the year.
The two 24-year-olds traded breaks in the opening set before the greater consistency of Fritz took him ahead in the tiebreak and he secured it with a cracking forehand, breaking his opponent’s streak of 13 tie-break wins.
The second set was equally intense as Fritz’s serve proved impenetrable and Tiafoe bravely defended several break-point chances inside Tokyo’s Ariake Coliseum.
In the tie-break, Fritz raced into a 6-2 lead with relentless power and accuracy before sealing victory when Tiafoe’s forehand went out.
Fritz, who will enter the top 10 in the world rankings on Monday for the first time, dropped his racket and let out a roar after boosting his chances to qualify for November’s ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.
“It’s so loopy, and I could not have written it any higher,” he said after wrapping up victory in just under two hours.
“It’s precisely what I wanted for the Race, for my rating, to form of put me in a very good place for the tip of the yr.”
Fritz, the tenth American to win the Japan Open title and the primary since Pete Sampras in 1996, additionally received titles in Eastbourne and Indian Wells this yr.
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