American teen Amanda Anisimova wins first WTA title

Amanda Anisimova capped an impressive week in Bogota by winning her first WTA singles title.

The 17-year-old, who had previously never won a tour-level match on clay, scored a hard-fought 4-6 6-4 6-1 win over Australia’s Astra Sharma in the final.

The sixth-seeded Anisimova, who recovered from a set and a break deficit to claim victory, described the result as “crazy emotional”.

“I’ve had an unbelievable week here! It was crazy emotional!”

17-year-old @AnisimovaAmanda is thrilled to be sitting upon the Bogota equivalent of the Iron Throne! #ClaroOpenColsanitas pic.twitter.com/j9fusqouyz

— WTA (@WTA) April 14, 2019

Anismova is projected to rise to a career-high ranking of No.54, while Sharma is set to jump almost 40 places to No.102 after reaching her first tour-level final.

Garin claims Houston title

Cristian Garin won his first ATP title in Houston, overcoming Norwegian Casper Ruud 7-6(4) 4-6 6-3 in an absorbing final.

The 22-year-old needed two hours and 29 minutes to defeat the 20-year-old Ruud, who was competing in his first tour-level final.

A battle 'til the very end ????

?????: @TennisTV | #USClay pic.twitter.com/fgRzKFpMvi

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) April 14, 2019

“It was a really intense match today. I think what I did well was to keep playing my game throughout the match,” world No.70-ranked Garin told ATPTour.com. “Of course, now I want more, so I have to keep working hard and improving every day.”

Garin, who becomes the first Chilean player to win an ATP title in a decade, is also set to make his top 50 debut.

Paire crowned champion in Marrakesh

Frenchman Benoit Paire has claimed a second career ATP singles title, breezing past Spain’s Pablo Andujar 6-2 6-3 in Marrakesh.

The world No.69 broke defending champion Andujar’s serve twice in the first set and then claimed the sixth game of the second to coast to victory and win his first title since 2015.

The winning moment for @benoitpaire ????

The 2019 Grand Prix Hassan II champion ????

???? @TennisTV pic.twitter.com/P3CuYbBeQF

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) April 14, 2019

Andujar was hoping for a record fourth victory at the event after lifting the trophy in 2011, 2012 and 2018, but managed just a single break point in the contest, which he failed to convert.

With his victory, Paire’s ranking is projected to return to the world’s top 50.

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Hercog ends title drought

Slovenian Polona Hercog has overcome determined Polish rookie Iga Swiatek 6-3 3-6 6-3 to win the WTA event in Lugano for her first title in seven years.

Hercog, ranked No.89, shot out of the blocks after an hour-long rain delay early in Sunday’s contest to win the opening set.

The 17-year-old Swiatek, last year’s Wimbledon junior champion, raised her game midway through the second set to drag the contest into a decider.

After a shaky start to the third set where Hercog found herself down 0-2, the 28-year-old relied on her powerful serve to take control of the match before sealing the third title of her career.

She did it!@PolonaHercog is the #SamsungOpen champion ????

She wins the match over Swiatek, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. pic.twitter.com/YgX7LNkcWy

— WTA (@WTA) April 14, 2019