Olympic champion Puig eyeing another title

Monica Puig’s last final appearance was certainly memorable. The 24-year-old sensationally won a gold medal at last year’s Rio Olympic Games, stunning the tennis world and becoming a national hero in Puerto Rico in the process.

Yet the 12 months that have followed have been challenging. There were no finals. Only once did Puig win three consecutive matches, her ranking tumbling from No.32 at season start to now sit at No.67. However a forgettable season could still end on a high when Puig contests today’s Luxembourg final.

German Carina Witthoeft, a 22-year-old world No.73 chasing her first WTA title, stands in her way of winning a first title since her Olympic triumph.

Puig qualified for the decider with a solid 6-2 7-5 win over third seed Elise Mertens, while Witthoeft fought past Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier in three sets, 7-6(2) 1-6 6-3.

It will be the first meeting between Puig and Witthoeft.

Final! ???? pic.twitter.com/k9jf7LMXzi

— Monica Puig (@MonicaAce93) October 20, 2017

Moscow: More than a title

There is a lot to play for when Russian Daria Kasatkina and German Julia Goerges meet in today’s Kremlin Cup final in Moscow.

Kasatkina is aiming to win her second WTA title, Goerges her third. The winner is also projected to move into the world’s top 20.

It would be a top 20 debut for the 20-year-old Kasatkina. While it would mark an impression return to form for the 28-year-old Goerges, who was last ranked inside the world’s top 20 in February 2013.

Adding extra incentive, the champion will seal a place at the season-ending WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai.

The duo have split their four previous meetings, with Goerges winning their most recent match in last year’s Kremlin Cup quarterfinals.

The men’s singles semifinals feature an all-Bosnian showdown between sixth-seeded Damir Dzumhur and qualifier Mirza Basic, followed by third-seeded Frenchman Adrian Mannarino against Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis.

DID YOU SEE? Tough WTA Finals draw set

Delpo’s title defence on target

Defending champion Juan Martin del Potro is into the Stockholm semfinals, where he faces eighth-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.

Verdasco upset second seed and US Open finalist Kevin Anderson in yesterday’s quarterfinals, while del Potro advanced in straight sets against Japan’s Yuichi Sugita.

Game Set Match @delpotrojuan defeating Sugita 62 76 at #sthlmopen @ATPWorldTour pic.twitter.com/D2msnvdVfg

— Intrum StockholmOpen (@IntrumSthlmOpen) October 20, 2017

Del Potro holds a 3-1 winning record against Verdasco, yet they have not played since 2012.

Top seed Grigor Dimitrov plays sixth seed Fabio Fognini in the other semifinal.

Dimitrov proved too strong for German Mischa Zverev in the quarterfinals, while Fognini upset last year’s finalist Jack Sock in a near three-hour battle.

CHECK OUT: Kyrgios’ pokes fun at rivals

Greek surprise in Antwerp

Greek qualifer Stefanos Tsitsipas has stunned top seed and local favourite David Goffin in the Antwerp quarterfinals.

The 19-year-old Tsitsipas hit 12 aces in a 2-6 7-6(1) 7-6(4) victory, setting up a semifinal meeting with Argentinean Diego Schwartzman.

It is a major dint in Goffin’s bid to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals in London.

Ruben Bemelmans is now the sole Belgian left in the draw, moving into the final four with a 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 win over Portugal’s Joao Sousa.

Second-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who brushed aside countryman Julien Benneteau in the quarterfinals, is his next opponent.