Stefanos Tsitsipas became the first Greek man to win an ATP title on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Ernests Gulbis in Stockholm, ending the Latvian player’s perfect record in finals.
World number 16 Tsitsipas, who had lost both his previous finals this year to Rafael Nadal in Barcelona and Toronto, went one better than Nicholas Kalogeropoulos who was the first Greek to make a tour-level final in Des Moines in 1983.
The 20-year-old Tsitsipas, seeded third, wrapped up victory in 81 minutes.
Former top-10 player Gulbis, now ranked 145 and who came through qualifying in Stockholm, had been hoping to make it seven titles in seven finals.
“He played a really good match. He had a great week,” said 30-year-old Gulbis on court after playing in his first final since 2014.
“I know it’s a big deal to win your first ATP title, so enjoy it. I wish that it’s not the last one.”
Kyle Edmund wins first ATP title in Antwerp
British number one Kyle Edmund fought back to down Gael Monfils in a final-set tie-break and claim his maiden ATP Tour title at the European Open in Antwerp on Sunday.
The 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4) victory caps a breakthrough season for the 23-year-old and keeps alive his slim hopes of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals in London next month.
Edmund is the first British man other than Andy Murray to win a singles title since Greg Rusedski’s success in Newport in July 2005.
“I’m obviously very happy. A lot of hard work goes into this. So it’s just emotional,” the world number 15 said.
“You always remember this one. Gael made me work for it today, that’s for sure, so credit to him. I’m just so happy.”
Top seed Edmund, who reached the Australian Open semi-finals earlier this year, won successive tie-breaks after losing the opening set in just 31 minutes and broke down in tears after clinching victory on his first match point.
It was only his second Tour final after a straight-sets defeat by Pablo Andujar in Morocco in April.
Khachanov wins Kremlin Cup to realise childhood dream
Third seeded wildcard Karen Khachanov of Russia beat Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in straight sets on Sunday to secure his second ATP title of the season at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow.
Khachanov became the first home player to lift the trophy since Mikhail Youzhny in 2009 while Mannarino was losing his sixth ATP final.
Khachanov, ranked 26th in the world, prevailed 6-2, 6-2, in 54 minutes to record his third win over the 30-year-old left-hander Mannarino in as many meetings.
“At first I’d like to congratulate Adrian with the final,” Khachanov said at the award ceremony. “Sorry that it ended this way.
“When I was a kid and came to this arena to watch our top players, to ask them for autographs I always dreamt of winning this tournament. Now this day has finally come.”
Khachanov was in command from the start breaking early for a 3-1 lead.
Mannarino, ranked 49th, tried to level but Khachanov broke again to take the opening set in 24 minutes.
In the second set the Russian 22-year-old underlined his supremacy on the hard court of Moscow’s Olympic indoor arena as he made inroads on his rival’s service twice again to wrap up the victory and claim his third career title.
“I’m sorry that show wasn’t the best one but he (Khachanov) was too good for me and I failed to find the right solutions on court today,” Mannarino said.
“I had a great week here in Moscow and I hope to come back next year.”
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