First career titles for Teichmann, Sakkari

Swiss qualifier Jil Teichmann outlasted home favourite Karolina Muchova 7-6(5) 3-6 6-4 in just under three hours to clinch her first WTA title at the Prague Open.

In a match between two first-time WTA finalists, Teichmann needed six set points to win the opening set, before recovering from a break down twice in the decider on Saturday.

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Good luck tomorrow@jilteichmann & @karomuchova7! #PragueOpen pic.twitter.com/HInypEAsuf

— WTA (@WTA) May 3, 2019

The 21-year-old became the first qualifier to win the title in Prague, and is the 20th different WTA winner in 21 events this season.

“I’m just speechless, honestly. I just fought and fought. It was a great battle and I’m just relieved that it’s done,” world No.146 Teichmann said. “I’m exhausted, but Kaja (Karolina) played a great match as well. I knew it was going to be a battle, but in the end, one has to win.”

The qualifier has done it!@jilteichmann beats Muchova to become the #PragueOpen champion – 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4! pic.twitter.com/88AxwKrmcO

— WTA (@WTA) May 4, 2019

Teichmann enjoyed a remarkable week in the Czech capital, which included a dramatic comeback beat two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Sakkari beats Konta in Rabat final

Greek Maria Sakkari has rallied from a set and a break down to beat British No.1 Johanna Konta 2-6 6-4 6-1 and lift her first WTA title at the Rabat Grand Prix in Morocco.

Konta, playing in her first WTA final since June last year, did not face a single break point as she surged ahead to claim the opening set on Saturday before the unforced errors crept into her game.

The world No.47 was leading 3-2 in the second set before Sakkari drew level at 4-4 then reeled off the next two games to force a decider before claiming the victory with a forehand winner.

First title FEELS ????@mariasakkari recovers from trailing a set and a break to defeat Johanna Konta 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 and win her first career WTA singles title at #WTARabat. pic.twitter.com/JzYp8Yk2MN

— WTA (@WTA) May 4, 2019

The victory guarantees a surge into the WTA’s top 50 when the new rankings are released on Monday.

The 23-year-old fell on her back on the red clay and went on to kiss the surface in celebration after being congratulated at the net by Konta.

Tsitsipas v Cuevas in Estoril final

Stefanos Tsitsipas stepped up his French Open preparations with a 3-6 6-4 6-4 victory over Belgian David Goffin to reach the final of the ATP Tour’s Estoril Open.

World No.10 Tsitsipas, chasing his third ATP title, was close to going down a break early in the final set on Saturday as he faced three break points, but his serve bailed him out of trouble.

Fourth-seeded Goffin’s aggressive forehands helped him save two break points at 4-4 but he missed another one to hand the 20-year-old Tsitsipas a decisive break.

“I fought very hard and gave my soul out on the court, which is the biggest pleasure in this sport,” Greece top seed Tsitsipas said.

“I had to turn the whole thing around … risking a little bit more and I think at the end it paid off.”

Tsitsipas will face Uruguayan veteran Pablo Cuevas, who outlasted Spanish teenager Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 3-6 6-2 6-2, in Sunday’s final.

It will be the first final for Cuevas since 2017 in Sao Paulo.

Garin through to Munich final

Chile’s Cristian Garin upset third-seeded Marco Cecchinato 6-2 6-4 to reach his third ATP final of the season at the Munich Open.

Less than 24 hours after beating top seed and two-time Munich winner Alexander Zverev, Garin produced another clinical display on Saturday as he saved both break points he faced to beat his Italian opponent.

“Conditions were tough, because we played the same game three times (with two rain delays in one game) … but I am very happy that I won,” said Garin, who will meet Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut or Italian Matteo Berrettini in Sunday’s final.

Garin is enjoying a breakthrough season, notching 18 victories from 24 tour-level matches.

The 22-year-old added to his finals appearances in Sao Paulo and Houston this season and will enter the top 40 for the first time when the new ATP rankings are released on Monday.

The second semi-final has been rescheduled for Sunday morning following persistent rain in Munich, which means the winner of that contest will have to play back-to-back matches.