Dream week for Federer, Kvitova

We break down the finals from a big week in tennis, during which four tournaments unfolded and four worthy champions were crowned.

Federer ices the cake

On Friday, Roger Federer made history when he returned to world No.1 after a five-year gap. On Sunday, he ensured the week ended on an even higher note by going all the way to the Rotterdam title.

The Swiss star was in a class above Grigor Dimitrov in a routine final, brushing aside the second seed 6-2 6-2 to win his 97th career ATP final.

“It’s definitely one of those weeks I will never forget in my life. It’s unbelievable to get my 97th title and get back to world No.1. It’s very special,” Federer said.

“I was expecting it to be tough today. Grigor is a great player and a great athlete and he’s been playing super well in recent months. I thought that this wasn’t going to be the result, but he looked to be struggling a bit and I never looked back. I was able to execute my tennis the way I wanted to. I’m very happy.”

Dimitrov: “I’m not tanking. Trust me.” pic.twitter.com/pUcPwh6FgP

— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) February 18, 2018

Federer sits in second place behind Jimmy Connors on the list of “most career titles won”; Connors won 109 professional titles.

Federer is also guaranteed to remain at No.1 for at least four weeks through to the end of the fortnight in Indian Wells, where he is the defending champion.

Kvitova unstoppable

Petra Kvitova took her winning streak to 13 matches – the second longest of her career – with another breathtaking performance at the Qatar Total Open in Doha.

This time, Kvitova came from a set behind to defeat Garbine Muguruza 3-6 6-3 6-4 to win her second straight WTA title after her recent victory in Saint Petersburg.

The victory over Muguruza followed her come-from-behind triumphs against world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals and former world No.2 Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round.

Kvitova will return to the world’s top 10 for the first time in nearly two years (June 2016) thanks to her win at the Premier 5 event in the Middle East.

“I don’t know (how I did it). I just…tried?” she told wtainsider.com after completing a week featuring three victories over top-five opponents.

She’ll next head to Dubai, where she is unseeded, and will open against Anett Kontaveit.

In addition to being 22-7 in finals, Kvitova is now *11-2* in big finals. 2 slams, 7 Tier Is, 1 WTA Finals, 1 Elite Trophy.

— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) February 18, 2018

Thiem terrific on clay

Dominic Thiem ended a near year-long title drought with a 6-2 6-4 win over Aljaz Bedene in the final of the Argentina Open.

The Austrian, at his best on red clay, did not drop a set at the ATP 250 event in Buenos Aires.

Thiem became the first No.1 seed to win the title since Rafael Nadal three years ago, and takes his record at the Argentinian event to a perfect 9-0.

9th career title for @ThiemDomi!

Tops Bedene 6-2 6-4 for second @ArgentinaOpen title.#ArgentinaOpen pic.twitter.com/G5NCUTMiuJ

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 18, 2018

“With these conditions – slow and hot – there are many chances for me to play well. It was my goal before starting the week and it is incredible to have achieved it,” Thiem said.

“I love playing on clay. Last year, I played indoors in Europe and they are nice tournaments too but here I have a better time.”

Anderson wins inaugural New York Open

Kevin Anderson’s victory at the ATP New York Open has pushed the South African back inside the top 10.

Anderson completed a successful week at the indoor event – played on black hard courts at the Nassau Coliseum – by beating Sam Querrey 4-6 6-3 7-6(1) in a final featuring the No.1 and No.2 seeds.

New York is proving a happy hunting ground for the 31-year-old; in his last trip to the Big Apple in 2017, he reached the US Open final.

A near flawless finish from @KAndersonATP sees him win the @NewYorkOpen title 4-6 6-3 7-6(1) over Querrey!#NYOpen pic.twitter.com/KUJQAiemXn

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 18, 2018