A LOOK BACK
Kunal Patel San Francisco Open (San Francisco, USA): One year ago, China had its moment in the spotlight, as native son Di Wu claimed the nation’s first ATP Challenger Tour title in Maui, USA. On Sunday, the total doubled. Behind a bevy of monster forehands and lightning-fast agility, Ze Zhang notched his maiden crown in San Francisco, overcoming Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.

Zhang rang in the inaugural event in San Francisco with a bang, notching seven wins in eight days to lift the trophy as a qualifier, overturning an 0-3 mark in Challenger finals in his career to finally claim victory. The Nanjing native is the first qualifier winner of the year on the ATP Challenger Tour. He is projected to rise 37 spots to No. 158 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, just 10 places off his career-high.

Neville Smith Forest Products Launceston International (Launceston, Australia): Seventh seed Noah Rubin streaked to his second ATP Challenger Tour title, dominating the final 6-0, 6-1 over fellow American Mitchell Krueger. It was the fewest games played in a Challenger final since Moscow 2015.

The #NextGenATP star needed 54 minutes to emerge victorious in very windy conditions, ending a 15-month title drought since lifting his maiden crown in Charlottesville in 2015. It marks the third straight week that an Emirates ATP Race To Milan contender has lifted a Challenger trophy. Rubin, who entered the week in Launceston at No. 7 in the standings, follows No. 3 Hyeon Chung’s victory in Maui, USA, and No. 4 Omar Jasika’s win in Burnie, AUS.

Read Rubin Feature

Excited to head back home to NYC after a long and exciting time down under! See ya next year Aussie! ??? pic.twitter.com/upcy5Rm1f9

— Noah Rubin (@Noahrubin33) February 12, 2017

Hungarian Challenger Open (Budapest, Hungary): Playing with a protected ranking, former World No. 8 Jurgen Melzer turned back the clock in Budapest to capture his fourth ATP Challenger Tour title. Melzer downed Marton Fucsovics 7-6(6), 6-2 to lift his first professional trophy in more than three years, since the 2013 Winston-Salem Open.

At 35 years and eight months, the Austrian is the oldest Challenger winner since Michael Berrer (35 yrs, 9 mos.) triumphed in Leon, MEX, in March 2016. Melzer, who returned to action last year following shoulder surgery, will rise to No. 200 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. Jurgen joins younger brother Gerald and Alexander Zverev and Mischa Zverev as two sets of bros. in the Top 200.

Happy!!! What a week…? #bidibadu #dunlop #stroeck #bmwpestuka pic.twitter.com/JlQQMK6DwK

— Jurgen Melzer (@jojomelzer) February 12, 2017

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Rubin: “It’s been great here in Australia. A nice way to go back home and it makes the trip a little easier. Today I put together a lot of good points and thought I served very smart. I used my speed to run down some balls and I knew it was going to be tricky conditions with the wind.”

A LOOK AHEAD
Two tournaments are on the schedule next week, with Challenger La Manche in Cherbourg, France, celebrating its 31st consecutive year on the ATP Challenger Tour and the Tempe Challenger marking its inaugural edition. Jeremy Chardy leads the pack in Cherbourg, with 2014 champ Kenny de Schepper and 2015 winner Norbert Gombos in the draw. Ernesto Escobedo is the top seed in Tempe, with fellow #NextGenATP stars Stefan Kozlov and Michael Mmoh also present.

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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

It’s been more than three weeks since Tomas Berdych struck a ball competitively, yet the significance of his loss to Roger Federer in the Australian Open third round is still sinking in.

”It was kind of a strange match for me,” admitted Berdych, a former champion at the upcoming ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. “The way he played was really incredible. I’ve played him so many times in the past. I almost want to say it was the best I’ve seen him play.”

Berdych did little wrong in the 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 loss, their 23rd FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting, because he was given no opportunity by the Swiss superstar to find his game on 20 January on Rod Laver Arena.

“I was under so much pressure, how he played. From the first point I had to defend. I didn’t know how I played, he either hit a winner or missed a shot. There was nothing in between. So it’s tough to judge how well or badly I played. I wasn’t in charge of any shot – that was quite unusual.

“After the match, I was quite positive that he could go all the way and win it. In the end, he did. I think he’s the only one who can do something like that – after a six months’ absence from tournaments and win it. It was his first tournament and he won it. With all respect, it’s amazing.”

If 35-year-old Federer can roll back the years, Berdych is hopeful he too can still improve.

Under the guidance of Luka Kutanjac and Goran Ivanisevic, who isn’t in Rotterdam this week, 31-year-old Berdych is working to re-establish himself in the Top 10 of the Emirates ATP Rankings and claim the sport’s biggest prizes.

“I have been working on my service motion, since I returned from injury and sickness,” the World No. 12 said. “So it’s not been a long time, but it’s working well. I tried it a couple of times in Australia, but it was windy. I’ve been trying to make it less predictable – good for me, not for my opponents. Goran, who’ll return courtside in Indian Wells, is also trying to bring me more to the net.”

“My goal remains to win a Grand Slam. Everything in my game is there, but it needs to click together for two weeks. Federer really found a way to play well, and win, by himself.

“In the past when some players reached 31 or 32, it might have been one of their last seasons. But it isn’t any more. Tennis at the highest level sees players with their own physios and teams. It really helps and extends careers. Players are taking more breaks in between and it helps to prolong careers. I hope I can play my best tennis in the future.

“In this current era, it will remain difficult for the youngsters to break through, but I believe the best of the crop will come through regardless. The [Emirates ATP] Race to Milan, finishing with the Next Gen ATP Finals, is a new and very important event for the development of young players. It’s a new motivation for them to attain a spot and very positive for the sport.”

This week, in the familiar surrounds of the Rotterdam Ahoy, venue of the first ATP World Tour 500 tournament of the season, Berdych is hoping to build on the happy memories of successful campaigns in the Dutch city. “It’s one of the special weeks of the season, where I’ve generally had solid results. Of course, 2014 is a great memory at a traditionally very tough tournament to win. I like coming back when a tournament is doing very well for the players.”

Having beaten Marin Cilic for the 2014 title and finished runner-up to Stan Wawrinka the following year, the Czech begins his quest for a 14th ATP World Tour crown on Monday against qualifier Marius Copil.

Victor Estrella Burgos completed a dramatic three-peat on Sunday at the Ecuador Open in Quito, saving a match point against third seed Paolo Lorenzi to take the title 6-7(2), 7-5, 7-6(6). 

“It’s a great achievement for me to win three titles here,” said Estrella Burgos. “The recipe for my success here will be revealed when I retire [laughing], but for sure I’ll come back here next year. I’ll play in Quito every year until I retire.“

The victory over Lorenzi completes a truly unforgettable week for Estrella Burgos. He also saved three match points to defeat top seed Ivo Karlovic in a third-set tie-break in the second round.

Watch: A full match replay of the final

The Dominican Republican player improves to 15-0 in Quito. He’s the only player in ATP World Tour history to win at least three titles in one event and none anywhere else. Estrella Burgos also defeated Feliciano Lopez in a third-set tie-break to prevail in 2015, and beat Thomaz Bellucci in a tight three-set match in the 2016 final.

“Without any doubt, this final has been the toughest,” said Estrella Burgos. “Paolo doesn’t give away anything because he is a great fighter.”

Currently at No. 156 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, he’s the lowest-ranked singles champion since No. 192 Florian Mayer this past June in Halle. Estrella Burgos is projected to move back inside the Top 100 on Monday. He earns 250 Emirates ATP Rankings points and a cheque for $85,945.

Lorenzi drops to 1-2 in ATP World Tour finals. His lone title came this past July in Kitzbuehel. The third seed picks up 150 Emirates ATP Rankings points and leaves Quito with $45,265.

“I love playing here and I am sure I’ll be back next year,” said Lorenzi. “I loved the crowd here and how they welcomed and supported me during the whole week. I am thankful. I’m leaving with an ATP final and that’s very important for me.”

Neither player faced a break point in the opening set, but the Italian went on a six-point run in the tie-break to capture the opening set. Lorenzi grabbed the crucial opening break to start the second set and it appeared that he might run away with the contest, but Estrella Burgos fought back to even the score at 4-4. He then broke Lorenzi once more up 6-5 to level the match at one set each.

Estrella Burgos broke the Italian to take a 4-2 lead in the deciding set, but Lorenzi showed off his own tenacious spirit by breaking back in the very next game. Little separated the two players all the way through the final-set tie-break, but it was Estrella Burgos who saved a match point down 5/6 and then won the final two points to defend his crown. 

Home favourite Grigor Dimitrov continues to soar in 2017 having clinched the Garanti Koza Sofia Open title with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over David Goffin on Sunday.

It was an extra special week for Dimitrov by playing a first ATP World Tour event on home soil. His recent resurgence up the Emirates ATP Rankings, recovering from No. 40 in July 2016 to being on the cusp of the Top 10, has captivated the nation as fans flocked to support their tennis talisman.

All week his matches have been eagerly watched by ardent local support and that was no different in the final with a 12,000-strong sold out capacity cheering him on.

Watch: Dimitrov Relishes Sofia Homecoming

The Bulgarian opened his season by capturing a fifth ATP World Tour title in Brisbane, defeating three Top 10 opponents in a row, before continuing his stellar form in Sofia. The third seed had dropped just one service game all week ahead of the final and started against the World No. 11 in emphatic style.

A delicate drop volley ignited a break to surge 3-0 ahead before the Belgian restored parity. Dimitrov, the victor on both previous occasions against Goffin, was forced to save four break points in an eight-minute game at 4-4. The set seemed destined for a tie-break until Dimitrov forced Goffin into a wayward backhand to edge halfway towards the trophy.

World No.13 Dimitrov once again earned a 3-0 lead and then made it six successive games with a blistering forehand cross court winner on the stretch.

Goffin was on the brink at 0-5 but was undeterred with some brave forays towards the net. He saved three match points, as Dimitrov’s double fault count reached nine, and managed to reduce his deficit to 4-5. However, the Bulgarian broke to be crowned champion at his home tournament.

It was double delight for Alexander Zverev on Sunday at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier. Hot on the heels of winning his second ATP World Tour singles crown, the 19-year-old German paired with older brother, Mischa Zverev, to win the doubles crown.

The duo defeated second seeds Fabrice Martin and Daniel Nestor 6-4, 6-7(3), 10-7 in 86 minutes to lift the trophy at the ATP World Tour 250 tournament. It is the first ATP World Tour doubles crown for the Zverev brothers, who had finished runners-up in Munich in 2015 and in Montpellier last year.

“It was an amazing week,” said Mischa Zverev. “Congrats to my brother, winning singles and doubles for the first time. It’s always special playing doubles with him, especially playing well and winning. I’m really, really happy. I didn’t expect it.”

Zverev, who beat Richard Gasquet in the singles final, is the first player to win the singles and doubles titles at the same tournament since Lleyton Hewitt triumphed at Newport in 2014. It is also the first time a pair of brothers won the doubles title after one of them had won the singles crown since Andy Murray did the double with Jamie Murray in Tokyo six years ago.

“It’s great to win singles and doubles,” said Alexander Zverev. “I’m very happy the way we played. We only dropped one set in the tournament. I think it was a very successful tournament for the Zverevs.”

The 29-year-old Mischa Zverev collected his third ATP World Tour doubles title, nine years on from winning a pair of titles with Mikhail Youzhny in Tokyo and Halle. It is Alexander Zverev’s first doubles trophy.

Martin and Nestor enjoyed a strong debut week together. The 30-year-old Martin, who won the Doha doubles crown with Jeremy Chardy at the start of the year, dropped to a 3-5 doubles final record. Nestor, 44, was seeking his 92^nd tour-level doubles crown (91-60 finals record). 

Watch: Zverevs Train Together In Tampa

It started with a vision and spawned into something extraordinary. When Mukesh Patel and co-founders Derrik Hirschfeld and Vikram Viswanathan first conceived the idea to establish a professional tennis tournament in San Francisco, little did they know it would instantly become a premier event on the ATP Challenger Tour.

With world-class amenities and hospitality, the exuberance and passion of its founding fathers and tournament director Ross Wisser have permeated throughout the grounds of the iconic Bay Club this week. Located in the heart of the bustling metropolis, the $100,000 event has already made its mark on the circuit.

But the tournament’s significant impact extends far beyond the walls of the The Bay Club. In October 2014, Patel’s son Kunal tragically passed away from a biking accident at the age of 27. Kunal was an avid tennis fan, following the ATP World Tour religiously while spending countless hours at his local courts with friends. Only a week later, he was to depart for London with his friends to watch the ATP Finals at The O2.

Having first lifted a racquet when he was nine years old, Kunal was a gifted athlete and enthusiast of all sports, whose zest for life knew no bounds. Following his passing, parents Mukesh and Harsha and sister Monique decided to celebrate his life and love for tennis with a tournament in his name. With his energy and enthusiasm embedded in the fabric of the tournament’s identity, less than three years later the Kunal Patel San Francisco Open was founded.

“Establishing the KPSF Open and bringing top quality tennis to San Francisco is one of my proudest and most personal achievements,” said Mukesh. “Kunal was in his element on the tennis court, and an enthusiastic fan of the sport. I can’t conceive of a better way to honor my son’s legacy and I know he is rooting for this tournament’s success.”

With only five weeks between the start of preparations and the first balls being tossed, Wisser and his dedicated staff made the impossible a reality. Despite the late addition to the 2017 Challenger calendar, the tournament has made quite the splash in attracting four Top 100 players and #NextGenATP stars Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, Jared Donaldson, Elias Ymer, Michael Mmoh and Reilly Opelka. Fans have taken notice, packing the stands in the thousands during the week.

From high-end catering and off-court entertainment, including a local artist painting live on-site, to exclusive amenities and a four-star hotel for players, tournament organisers have set a high standard.

“It’s been fantastic here,” Vasek Pospisil, seeded seventh, told ATPWorldTour.com. “I haven’t played too many Challengers of late, but this one is definitely up there. The crowd is great, the centre court is very nice and I had some good crowd support so I really enjoyed that.

Honestly, it’s just a great tournament. It reminds me of some indoor Canadian events and it feels like home for me. The organisation is great and facilities are awesome. Coming from ATP World Tour events, it feels very comfortable and that goes to show what a great job the tournament has done.”

The inaugural #ATPChallenger in San Francisco @kpsfopen has made an immediate splash thanks to the passion of its founders and director. pic.twitter.com/jLwZYvOSlJ

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) February 12, 2017

The Bay Club is the largest indoor tennis facility on the west coast of the United States, housing 12 indoor courts and an additional 12 rooftop courts. A balcony-style railing overlooks the four front courts, along with window seating in the cafe. A 500-seat stadium was constructed for the tournament and in addition to tennis courts, the club offers separate weight and cardio rooms, locker rooms with steam rooms and saunas and a full restaurant for players.

On Sunday, former World No. 25 Pospisil will face Chinese qualifier Ze Zhang for the title. In search of a return to the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, Pospisil will bid for his fifth ATP Challenger Tour title. Zhang, meanwhile, is seeking his first crown in his fourth final. Visit kpsfopen.com to reserve your tickets.

#NextGenATP star Alexander Zverev captured his second ATP World Tour title on Sunday at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier, defeating home favourite Richard Gasquet 7-6(4), 6-3 in the final.

Victory sees Zverev surge to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Race To Milan, which determines the #NextGenATP players that will qualify for the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, from 7-11 November.

Zverev has the chance to win a second title this afternoon when he and brother, Mischa Zverev, compete in the doubles final against second seeds Fabrice Martin and Daniel Nestor. The right-hander is chasing his first doubles crown and would become the first player to win the singles and doubles titles at the same tournament since Lleyton Hewitt at Newport in 2014.

Zverev fought his way to the singles title at this ATP World Tour 250 tournament, beating Aljaz Bedene, Jeremy Chardy and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in three sets before toppling the third-seeded Gasquet in 88 minutes.

The 19-year-old Zverev won his first ATP World Tour crown last September, when he beat two Top 10 players in Tomas Berdych and Stan Wawrinka to lift the St. Petersburg Open trophy.

The 30-year-old Gasquet was looking to win the Montpellier title for the fourth time, following victories in 2013, 2015 and 2016, also finishing runner-up in 2014 (l. to Monfils). But he could not find a way past Zverev in their first meeting.

The German raced away with the first set tie-break, before breaking decisively in the eighth game of the second set, converting his fourth match point as he served out victory.

Serbian pairing Nenad Zimonjic and Viktor Troicki lifted the Garanti Koza Sofia Open doubles title on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Mikhail Elgin and Andrey Kuznetsov.

The straight-sets victory lands the Serbians their maiden trophy together and a 54th tour-level doubles title for former doubles World No. 1 Zimonjic. The 40-year-old Zimonjic last clinched a trophy at the Swiss Indoors Basel in 2014 playing alongside Vasek Pospisil and was relieved to become a champion once again.

“It’s been a really long time. I had a couple of finals in 2015 but 2016 was a really tough year for me without a steady partner and some injuries. This is great to be back in a final of an ATP World Tour event, to play with your really good friend. It’s an amazing feeling to do it in front of my wife, my kids, my long-time coach, physio, it’s just huge to play here,” said Zimonjic.

“With such an amazing atmosphere, you felt like you were playing at home. The draw wasn’t easy and we had a great win over Rojer/Tecau. They are one of the best teams on the ATP World Tour. For me it’s a great start to the new season and I’m really looking forward to the next tournament.”

Their Russian opponents had toppled two seeded teams en route to the final but Zimonjic/Troicki fought back from 1-4 down with smart angled volleys to take the opening set. Troicki fended off a break opportunity at 2-3 in the second set with a body serve and an ace, before striking a forehand return winner down the line to secure the decisive break.

“It feels great. First of all it was an honour playing with Nenad; it’s out first title together,” reflected Troicki, having lifted a second ATP World Tour doubles title. “He’s been a big support throughout my career, so to win this title with him is pretty special.” 

Juan Martin del Potro is making his way to the U.S. ahead of the start of his 2017 season later this month. The Argentine had been training in Buenos Aires and is headed to Miami to continue practising. He is scheduled to return to tour-level action at the Delray Beach Open, which starts 20 February.

Del Potro won the ATP World Tour 250 event in 2011 and reached the semi-finals there last year. The 6’6” right-hander delayed the start to his 2017 season to get a full pre-season. The 28 year old was unable to train during the 2015-2016 off-season because of rehab on his left wrist.

Del Potro, who is still without a coach, started playing tennis again a few weeks ago in Tandil and Buenos Aires. He’s coming off his best and – most importantly – his healthiest season on the ATP World Tour in years.

In October, del Potro won the If Stockholm Open for his first title since January 2014. He jumped 552 spots in the Emirates ATP Rankings to his current position of No. 38. He also was named the Comeback Player Of The Year in the ATP World Tour Awards presented by Moët & Chandon.

.@delpotrojuan castiga la bola en el entrenamiento, preparando el regreso al circuito. pic.twitter.com/4g0Dqd0DdT

— Jorge Viale (@jorgeviale) February 10, 2017