A LOOK BACK

Morelos Open (Morelos, Mexico): Third seed and #NextGenATP star Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan won his first ATP Challenger Tour title with a 7-6(5), 6-4 win over Nicolas Jarry of Chile. At 19 years and eight months, he is the youngest Challenger winner so far this year. Bublik is the third #NextGenATP winner in 2017, joining Korean Hyeon Chung (Maui) and American Noah Rubin (Launceston). He has jumped nearly 70 spots since the start of the season to a career-high No. 137 in the Emirates ATP Rankings.

Jarry was also seeking his first Challenger title, reaching his first Challenger final since Quito in September 2014. His run in Morelos pushes him back inside the Top 250 and he’s closing in on the Top 200 after returning from breaking his right wrist.

Trofio Faip Perrel (Bergamo, Italy): Former World No. 14 Jerzy Janowicz of Poland continued his comeback from injury with a 6-4, 6-4 win over seventh seed and #NextGenATP star Quentin Halys of France. The win gives Janowicz his sixth ATP Challenger Tour title and first since prevailing in Genoa last September. The win over Halys also snapped the French title streak in Bergamo, following victories by Benoit Paire in 2015 and Pierre-Hugues Herbert in 2016.

The 20 year old Halys finishes with his first Challenger final of the year. He was seeking his second Challenger title, with the maiden crown coming last April in Tallahassee.

Shimadzu Kyoto Challenger (Kyoto, Japan): Local favourite Yasutaka Uchiyama delighted the home crowd with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over sixth seed Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia to win his first Challenger title. This is the second straight year a Japanese player has won on home soil in Kyoto, with Yuichi Sugita prevailing last year. The 24-year-old Uchiyama was competing in his first Challenger final since Lexington in July 2015.

Kavcic drops to 0-2 in Challenger finals this year after finishing runner-up last month in Bangkok.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Janowicz: “This is just one more good step for me because I’m already thinking of being back in the Top 15. Now I’m going to fight next week in Wroclaw. I hope I’m going to stay healthy and be back as fast as possible.”

“The organisation here is really good. I’d say this was one of the best tournament directors I’ve ever had. It was nice to be here and the crowd is always unbelievable in Italy!”

A LOOK AHEAD

There are two Challengers on the schedule this week, with the $100,000 event in Wroclaw, Poland, taking top billing as it returns for the 13^th year. Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu is the top seed and Lukas Lacko of Slovakia is the second seed. Halys, the fourth seed, and Janowicz look to continue their form from Bergamo. Former Top 10 player Jurgen Melzer of Austria is also in the draw.

The $50,000 event in Yokohama, Japan, is back for the 12^th year. Local favourite Sugita is the top seed and Henri Laaksonen of Switzerland is the second seed. Korean #NextGenATP star Duckhee Lee is the third seed, while Uchiyama and Kavcic aim for another successful week in Japan.

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ATP CHALLENGER TOUR ON TWITTER: The ATP Challenger Tour has launched a dedicated Twitter account for the latest news and information about players and events. Follow @ATPChallengerTour at twitter.com/ATPChallengerTour.

Dominic Thiem has found a home on the Latin American Golden Swing, surging to the title at the Rio Open presented by Claro on Sunday. Thiem fought past Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5, 6-4 in one hour and 34 minutes to lift the trophy at the Jockey Club Brasileiro.

With Brazilian legend Gustavo Kuerten in attendance, the World No. 8 claimed his eighth ATP World Tour crown, second at the 500 level and third on the Golden Swing, having previously triumphed in Buenos Aires and Acapulco in 2016. He fired 25 winners, including 14 on his forehand wing and seven aces to prevail over Carreno Busta. Thiem also converted four of eight break chances in extending his FedEx ATP Head2Head edge to 5-1.

“I am feeling really great,” said Thiem. “This is the best feeling you can have, winning a title. It’s all you practise for. I played five very good matches, especially in the semis and final against amazing players.

“I did same thing last year, going from clay to hard in Acapulco and I did well. It’s a slower hard court with a high bounce, so it’s what I like. It’s not easy with the travel and time difference, but the confidence is high and I’m feeling great.”

 Watch Full Match Replays

With rain drops falling over Quadra Guga Kuerten, Carreno Busta took the early lead with a break for 3-2 as he looked to extend his strong run of form in Rio. A day removed from a thrilling comeback over teenager Casper Ruud to reach the final, battling back from a set and a break down and fighting off a match point, he was riding a wave of momentum.

But Thiem entered the final without dropping a set on the Brazilian clay, making a seemless transition from the indoor hard courts of Rotterdam. The trend would continue, as the second seed broke right back for 3-3 and eventually converted his third set point, breaking again for 7-5.

The lead would trade hands midway through the second set, as Thiem edged ahead with a drop shot winner for 4-2 and Carreno Busta drew level with a sublime drop shot of his own in the next game. Thiem was tested, but he would not be denied the title, breaking for the match as the Spaniard sent a forehand long.

Thiem takes $314,880 in prize money and 500 Emirates ATP Rankings points, extending his win streak over Carreno Busta to four straight at the tour-level. They met twice in 2016, with the Austrian winning in three sets in Buenos Aires and in four at the US Open.

Thiem is the fourth player to lift an ATP World Tour trophy this year without dropping a set, joining last week’s winners Ryan Harrison (Memphis) and Alexandr Dolgopolov (Buenos Aires), as well as Sunday’s Delray Beach Open champion Jack Sock.

Carreno Busta, meanwhile, was bidding for his third ATP World Tour title in his fifth final. He prevailed in the doubles final on Saturday with Pablo Cuevas, dethroning defending champions Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah.

“Obviously, I’m very happy after a week like this,” said Carreno Busta. “Winning the title in doubles and reaching the final in singles is great. Dominic is a fantastic player and is going to win many more titles in the coming years. I hope I can play more finals against him.

“Physically I felt great all week. I’m a little tired, but that’s normal after these couple of days. I have a few days to rest and now I’m looking forward to Sao Paulo.”

The 25 year old, who was looking to join Rafael Nadal (2014) and David Ferrer (2015) as Spanish champions in Rio de Janeiro, earns 300 Emirates ATP Rankings points and $154,370 in prize money. He is projected to rise one spot to a career-high World No. 23 on Monday.

It can be hard to recall now, after so many months of Andy Murray playing so well on the ATP World Tour, but the Scot did experience a down period during his career season of 2016.

The dip happened right about now, 12 months ago, after the Australian Open and before the European clay-court season began in April. Murray won only two ATP World Tour matches during the two-month span, losing in the third round of both the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open presented by Itau.

This year, Murray is playing the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships before heading into March Madness. He’s hoping the tournament helps him enjoy a better stretch than he experienced a year ago.

“I want to avoid that this year. I want to do much better over this period than I did last year,” Murray said during his pre-tournament press conference.

Forget tennis for a moment. The 29-year-old Murray was focused on something much more basic earlier this month: his health. Murray was diagnosed with shingles after returning from the Australian Open. He didn’t notice anything in Melbourne but saw a doctor upon coming home and had to rest for about two weeks.

“I just had to go easy for a little while,” he said. “But I’m fine now and have been training flat out for the last two and a half weeks really, so I feel good.”

It was a much different Australian Open than Murray had become accustomed to over the years. The five-time finalist fell in the fourth round to German Mischa Zverev, who served-and-volleyed his way to a career-best quarter-final finish in Melbourne.

Murray, however, said he’s gotten over the early defeat and has learned from the match. “I was disappointed obviously with the loss and I feel like I could have done some things a bit better,” he said. “I’m trying to get back to playing good tennis here and hopefully I can.”

Despite his earliest Melbourne exit since 2009, also fourth round, the Scot easily remained No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. He currently leads World No. 2 Novak Djokovic by more than 1,700 points. “I want to try and stay there. I’m motivated to try and do that,” Murray said.

Read More: Tsonga Makes It Back-To-Back In Marseille 

The Brit, who has never won the Dubai title, is the top seed in his sixth appearance at the ATP World Tour 500 tournament. He opens against 33-year-old Malek Jaziri of Tunisia.

Murray and Jaziri, No. 47 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, have never played each other. Jaziri is also making his sixth appearance at the event, with his best finish coming in 2014 when he reached the quarter-finals.

“I’m not looking far ahead. I know Malek fairly well,” Murray said. “I’ve seen him play. He’s very talented. He plays with a lot of slice backhands. He’s quite aggressive on his forehand… I think he quite likes the conditions here so I’m concentrating on that one.”

Who can stop Jo-Wilfried Tsonga?

The Frenchman won his ninth match in a row and celebrated his third Open 13 Marseille title on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-4 win against countrman Lucas Pouille. The 31-year-old Tsonga outplayed his younger compatriot, breaking the 23 year old twice to cruise in 69 minutes.

The title gives Tsonga 14 for his career and his second for 2017. He won the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam a week ago by defeating then-World No. 11 David Goffin. The win also caps one of Tsonga’s best months in recent memory. Before Rotterdam, he reached the Open Sud de France semi-finals before falling to #NextGenATP star Alexander Zverev, who eventually won the ATP World Tour 250 title.

With the Marseille title, Tsonga also improves to 17-3 on the season. He claimed the Open 13 Marseille title in 2009 and 2013 as well.

Pouille was going for his second ATP World Tour crown after winning his maiden title at the Moselle Open in Metz last September. But he struggled at times with his serve, landing about 60 per cent of his first-serve offerings. He was broken to start the match and again at 3-3 in the second set.

Pouille couldn’t touch Tsonga’s serve, either. Tsonga won 87 per cent of his service points (40/46), dominating games with a 1-2 punch of serve and forehand. He never faced a break point.

Tsonga will receive 250 Emirates ATP Rankings Points and should return to the Top 10 at No. 7 when the new Emirates ATP Rankings are released on Monday. He’ll also receive €110,655 in prize money. Pouille will receive 150 Emirates ATP Rankings points and €58,250 in prize money.

Juan Martin del Potro believes his game is far from his top level, which is a bad sign for his opponents given his run at this week’s Delray Beach Open.

The 2011 champion held a set point to force his semi-final with top seed Milos Raonic to a deciding set before falling 6-3, 7-6(6) on Saturday. But del Potro said that despite the close scoreline, the essential shots in his game still aren’t at their best and will require more work on the practise court.

“I think my game can keep improving a lot. I played with less 50 per cent of my backhand tonight and Milos kept attacking that,” said del Potro. “If you’re not 100 per cent against the top guys, it’s difficult to win. I have to keep working hard to improve that.”

The Argentine was full of praise for Raonic and said the Canadian played better than him in the key moments of the match.

“I think the whole match was up and down and he took the opportunities to win,” said Raonic. “He was adapting so fast to my game and I couldn’t manage my backhands. I tried my best, but he was too good today.”

Despite the loss, del Potro said he was satisfied with playing four tough matches in his opening tournament of the season. Even more importantly, his body has withstood the rigours of competitive matches better than last year in Delray Beach, which was also his first tournament of the season. Del Potro plans to compete as scheduled next week at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel.

“This was a good tournament for my first one of the season. I finished this tournament in good shape. When I played here last year, I pulled out of Acapulco,” said del Potro. “I know that if I’m healthy and able to play, my game will be improving every week.”

 Watch Full Match Replays

Pablo Carreno Busta wishes every day on the ATP World Tour would be like Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. Hours after completing a stunning comeback to reach the singles final, the Spaniard clinched the Rio Open presented by Claro doubles title with Pablo Cuevas.

Carreno Busta and Cuevas edged defending champions Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 6-4, 5-7, 10-8 in one hour and 29 minutes. The Colombian Power looked to be on their way to a comeback of their own after forcing a Match Tie-break from a set and a break down. But the Spanish-Uruguyan duo would have the last laugh, taking the title on their first championship point.

“I’m very happy,” said Carreno Busta. “It’s always very special to win a title even if it’s a doubles one. It’s very important. I’m sure it’s going to help me tomorrow for my singles final.”

The third-seeded champions earn $94,800 in prize money and 500 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points. Cuevas, the 2016 singles titlist in Rio de Janeiro, won his sixth tour-level doubles crown and first in two years. Carreno Busta, who will face Dominic Thiem in Sunday’s singles final, notched his third doubles title with a third different partner.

“We started very well,” said Cuevas. “In the second set we were a break up, but they started playing better and the Match Tie-break was very close. But in the end we were able to turn it around and win the title.”

Cabal and Farah, meanwhile, were bidding to extend their doubles dynasty at the Jockey Club Brasileiro, having lifted the trophy in both 2014 and 2016. Champions at last week’s Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, they remain in search of their 10th ATP World Tour team title. The Colombians split $46,410 in prize money and 300 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points.

Top seed Milos Raonic prevailed in the match tennis fans wanted to see this week, saving a set point to defeat seventh seed Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 7-6(6) on Saturday and reach the Delray Beach Open final. 

Raonic moves into his 20th tour-level final in his Delray Beach debut and improves his FedEx ATP Head2Head against del Potro to 2-1. The World No. 4 also boosts his 2017 record to 10-2 in reaching his first ATP World Tour final of the season.

“You want to stay away from his forehand because he’s very dangerous from there. It was about taking time away from him and trying to get him on the backhand side,” said Raonic. “He stepped up on some of the big points toward the end and you know he’s able to do that because he’s achieved fantastic things in tennis. I was fortunate to get through that tie-break.” 

The Canadian will face third seed Jack Sock for the title, who prevailed earlier in the day 6-4, 7-6(2) over Donald Young. Raonic leads his rivalry against Sock 8-2, but the American won their most recent match this past October at the Shanghai Rolex Masters.

“We’ve played a lot of times. I’ve been quite successful against him, but he got me the last time we played. It’s always been close,” said Raonic. “It’s a match you have to fight through. You know it’s going be tough, so it’s important to stay disciplined and keep a positive attitude.”

More: Carreno Busta Saves MP In Rio

Raonic maintained control throughout the first set against del Potro, dropping just four points on serve and using his forehand to apply pressure in his return games. The top seed gained the lone break of the set at 3-2 and held the advantage the rest of the way. The 2011 Delray Beach champion fought valiantly to erase four set points on his serve down 2-5, but Raonic calmly responded by firing an ace on his fifth set point.

Both players traded service holds throughout the second set until 5-5, when a pair of baseline winners from Raonic gave him the break and a chance to serve out the match. But del Potro wouldn’t go away quietly, finally earning his first break point and lacing a backhand passing shot to force a tie-break.

The top seed led by a mini-break at 5/4, but gave away the lead with a double fault and forehand unforced error. Del Potro served for the set at 6/5, but Raonic cracked a backhand return to even the score. A forehand error from the Argentine gave Raonic his first match point at 7/6 and the Canadian hit his 17^th ace of the night to advance in one hour and 46 minutes.

Despite the loss, del Potro said he was satisfied with how his body responded to four difficult matches in his first tournament of the season.

“I finished this tournament in good shape. When I played here last year, I pulled out of Acapulco,” said del Potro. “I think my game can keep improving a lot. I played with less than 50 per cent of my backhand tonight. If you’re not 100 per cent against the top guys, it’s difficult to win. I have to keep working hard to improve that.”

Sock continued his dominance over Young, boosting his record against his fellow American to 3-0 in reaching his seventh ATP World Tour singles final. The Nebraska native is 10-1 this season, having lifted the trophy last month at the ASB Classic (d. Sousa) and recorded a third-round finish at the Australian Open.

“No one’s going away in the semi-finals of a tournament. It definitely could have gone either way in the first set,” said Sock. “He’s a tricky player in that he makes you play a lot of balls and can wear you down, but also has great hands at the net when he comes forward. You never totally know what you’re going to get, so I was just fortunate to come through in two sets.”

Sock and Young dropped their opening service games, but Sock quickly regained his footing. The third seed broke Young once more at 3-3 and remained dominant on serve, dropping two points in four service games to grab the early lead.

There were no breaks in the second set, but Young was made to work hard in most of his service games while Sock held comfortably. It appeared the match might head to a decider after Young laced a forehand winner to take a 2/0 lead in the tie-break, but the momentum was short-lived. Sock used his trademark serve and forehand to go on a seven-point run and advance in one hour and 32 minutes.

“I’m definitely playing with a lot of confidence this year. I started out the season with a title, which is the most ideal situation and gives you confidence for the rest of the tournaments,” said Sock. “I feel strong mentally and physically, and like I have a clear game plan for what I’m doing out there.”

 Watch Full Match Replays

DOUBLES

Second seeds Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram moved into the final after defeating Jonathan Erlich and Scott Lipsky, 6-3, 3-6, 10-1. They’ll play third seeds Treat Huey and Max Mirnyi, who defeated Yen-Hsun Lu and Leander Paes 6-2, 6-1.