Belgians Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen captured their second title of the season on Sunday when they defeated Serbians Nikola Cacic and Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-4 in the Millennium Estoril Open final.

The fourth seeds lost their first set of the tournament in the first round, but rallied to win that match and never looked back. They did not lose a set the rest of the week.

Gille and Vliegen, a longtime duo, have now lifted seven ATP Tour trophies together and are 7-2 in finals as a team. They also triumphed in Pune to begin their 2023 season.

In the semi-finals, the Belgians eliminated defending champions and home favourites Francisco Cabral and Nuno Borges in two tie-breaks. In the final, Gille and Vliegen combined for 10 aces and saved two of the three break points they faced.

Cacic and Kecmanovic were trying to win their first title as a team. Kecmanovic also reached the singles final, in which he fell to Casper Ruud.

Due to a rain-soaked week in Houston, Frances Tiafoe has needed to win three matches between Saturday and Sunday to reach the final. The American has done just that, eliminating Dutchman Gijs Brouwer 6-4, 6-1 Sunday afternoon to move into the championship clash at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship.

“I feel good, I feel good. I’m running on adrenaline,” Tiafoe said in his on-court interview. “I’ve got this crowd behind me and I’m on a mission, so I’m happy.”

Competing as the top seed at an ATP Tour event for the first time, Tiafoe is now one victory from claiming his second tour-level crown and his first since 2018 in Delray Beach.

Tiafoe will play Tomas Martin Etcheverry not before 7 p.m. local time. The Argentine is pursuing his first ATP Tour trophy.

“Just trying to get a win. Whoever I play… they’re both great players,” Tiafoe said. “I’m just going to rest, I’m going to kick my feet up and I’ll see you guys at 7.”

There were few complications for Tiafoe against the Houston-born Brouwer. The American did not face a break point in his 59-minute triumph.

Etcheverry also made the final with a straight-sets victory when he ousted German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-4. The 23-year-old entered the season without a tour-level quarter-final to his name. With his win against Hanfmann, Etcheverry has now made two finals, in Santiago and Houston. 

The Argentine is up to No. 59 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. His career-high entering the week was World No. 61. Etcheverry has spent seven hours and 47 minutes on court for four matches this week compared to three hours and 43 minutes for Tiafoe in three matches.

Did You Know?
Tiafoe will climb to a new career-high Pepperstone ATP Ranking of at least No. 12 on Monday. If the home favourite wins the title, he will ascend to No. 11.

Hubert Hurkacz rallied from the brink on Sunday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, where he clawed past Serbian Laslo Djere 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-6(5).

In a tight clash on Court Rainier III, the Pole battled from a set and a break down and saved one match point at 5-6, 30/40 in the third set to earn a thrilling win after three hours and 19 minutes. 

“Laslo was playing really good tennis. We were battling,” Hurkacz said. “At the end it could have gone either way. I was just trying to be ready for every single point and tried to go when I had situations. I competed well until the end and I am super happy with the victory. 

“I think it will make me stronger at the end of the day. I still need to improve a few things from my side, but I am working on them and I need to continue to push and be stronger for the future.”

Hurkacz recovered from failing to serve out the match at 5-4 in the third set, converting his fourth match point to earn his 15th win of the season. The 10th seed will next play Sebastian Baez or Jack Draper.

Hurkacz reached the quarter-finals in Monte-Carlo last season, which is his joint-best run at a clay-court ATP Masters 1000 event. He also advanced to the last eight in Rome in 2022. 

Nicolas Jarry earned his first win at an ATP Masters 1000 event since 2019 at Indian Wells when he upset 15th seed Borna Coric 6-2, 6-3.

The Chilean, currently No. 57 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, did not face a break point en route to his 78-minute victory. Jarry now holds a 7-15 record against Top 20 opponents.

In the final round of qualifying, Hungarian Marton Fucsovics booked his spot in the main draw, overcoming Filip Krajinovic 6-3, 7-5. Frenchman Ugo Humbert moved past 2019 finalist Dusan Lajovic 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, while #NextGenATP Italian Luca Nardi defeated Oscar Otte 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(4).  

German Jan-Lennard Struff downed Emil Ruusuvuori 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-0 and Alexei Popyrin beat Benoit Paire 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-4. Ivan Gakhov moved past #NextGenATP Frenchman Luca Van Assche 6-3, 0-6, 6-2, while Ilya Ivashka clawed past Taro Daniel 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-2.

In doubles action, Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev made a winning start, overcoming Jamie Murray and Michael Venus 7-5, 6-4 in 85 minutes. The pair is teaming for the third time this season, having also joined forces in Adelaide and Indian Wells.

Singles stars Diego Schwartzman and Jannik Sinner also advanced, moving past eighth seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 1-6, 11-9. The Argentine-Italian team won 84 per cent (26/31) of their first-serve points in their 79-minute win.

Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz reached the second round, downing Cameron Norrie and Ben Shelton 6-2, 6-3.

Casper Ruud punctuated his bounceback week in Estoril on Sunday by capturing his 10th ATP Tour title.

The Norwegian claimed his first trophy of the season with a 6-2, 7-6(3) victory against friend Miomir Kecmanovic in the Millennium Estoril Open final. The top seed did not drop serve in the championship clash.

“I feel great. It’s my first time in Estoril and first time lucky, I guess,” Ruud said during the trophy ceremony. “To be here with the trophy this Sunday is very special. It’s been quite some months since I won my last title, so it’s very important.”

Following the best season of his career in 2022, Ruud arrived in Portugal with a 5-6 record for 2023. Back on his best surface, he lost his first set of the week against home favourite Joao Sousa. But Ruud navigated two three-setters in his four matches to return to the winner’s circle.

Playing against a longtime friend in Kecmanovic, Ruud wasted little time initiating his game plan in front of the Portuguese crowd. The Norwegian did everything in his power to hit as many forehands as he could.

That strategy paid dividends early in the first set when he broke the Serbian’s serve at 1-1 by covering every centimetre of the court to hit from his favoured wing, ultimately finishing off the break point with a forehand winner. He then earned a second break with a huge forehand blast to seize full control of the opener.

Kecmanovic, who was pursuing his second ATP Tour title, raised his level early in the second set. The Serbian saved five break points he faced, but was unable to convert three of his own, so they went to a tie-break. 

Kecmanovic missed a neutral crosscourt backhand wide at 3/4 to relinquish the critical mini break. Ruud then earned another with a dipping backhand passing shot from well behind the baseline that his opponent was unable to handle.

With three championship points, Ruud needed just one. He blasted a ball into the sky to celebrate his victory before enjoying a warm handshake with his friend at the net.

“I felt great. All my stay was great [with the] fans, great stadium, great atmosphere on this court,” Ruud said. “It was full every time that I was on the court it was a full stadium so thank you to everyone who is here today and also during the week.”

It also marked Ruud’s first ATP Head2Head victory against Kecmanovic, who leads their series 2-1. The Serbian praised his friend during the trophy ceremony.

“You were too good today. Good job this week and good luck for the rest of the year,” Kecmanovic said. “Thank you to everybody who came out. It was my first time here. I really enjoyed playing in front of you guys and I really hope I can come back next time.”

Did You Know?
Nine of Ruud’s 10 ATP Tour titles have come on clay. The Norwegian will climb from No. 5 to No. 4 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday.

The 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka and former World No. 1 Andy Murray begin their Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters campaigns Monday when they take to court at the clay-court event.

Swiss wild card Wawrinka takes on Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, while Murray plays 14th seed Alex de Minaur. Austrian wild card Dominic Thiem is also in action, facing Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

Here is what to watch on Monday in the Principality.

[WC] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs. Tallon Griekspoor (NED)

Former World No. 3 Wawrinka holds fond memories in Monte-Carlo, lifting the trophy at the ATP Masters 1000 event in 2014. The 38-year-old, who has claimed six tour-level trophies on clay, arrives in Monaco off the back of a run to the fourth round in Indian Wells, where he defeated Top 10 star Holger Rune.

Wawrinka will look to make a fast start to the clay swing when he takes on Griekspoor, who won their only previous ATP Head2Head meeting in Rotterdam in 2018. The Dutchman holds a 14-6 record on the season, highlighted by his run to the title in Pune. The pair will kick off the action on Court Rainier III at 11:00 a.m.

[14] Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs. Andy Murray (GBR)

Murray has shown glimpses of his best level this season, defeating Matteo Berrettini in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open before he advanced to the final in Doha. The former World No. 1 faces a tricky opening test in Monte-Carlo, though, with Australian De Minaur leading Murray 2-0 in their ATP Head2Head series.

Making his third appearance in the Principality, De Minaur will aim to bounce back from disappointing opening-round exits in Indian Wells and Miami when he competes on clay for the first time this year. Possessing impressive agility and movement, the World No. 19 will look to outlast Murray in the lengthy exchanges and earn his 13th tour-level win of the season.

The 46-time tour-level titlist Murray is making his first appearance in Monte-Carlo since 2017, when he advanced to the third round. The Scot advanced to the semi-finals in Monaco in 2009, 2011 and 2016.

Richard Gasquet (FRA) vs. [WC] Dominic Thiem (AUT)

After a difficult start to the season, Thiem earned his best result of 2023 last week in Estoril, where he reached his maiden quarter-final of the year. The Austrian, who has won 10 of his 17 tour-level titles on clay, will hope to build on that run in Monte-Carlo in his seventh appearance at the event.

Standing in his way in the first round is Frenchman Gasquet, who made his first appearance in Monte-Carlo in 2002. The 36-year-old, who advanced to the semi-finals in 2005, won his 16th tour-level crown in Auckland at the start of the year. Locked at 2-2 in their ATP Head2Head series, it is set to be an intriguing battle on Court Rainier III between two of the best one-handed backhands on Tour.

Also In Action…

Seeking an upturn in form, Matteo Berrettini starts his Monte-Carlo campaign against American Maxime Cressy. The Italian, who is 5-6 on the season, has clinched three clay-court trophies in his career. The 11th seed Cameron Norrie takes on Argentine Francisco Cerundolo, while Jack Draper faces Sebastian Baez.

In doubles, Stefanos Tsitsipas teams with brother Petros Tsitsipas against Grigor Dimitrov and Hubert Hurkacz.

It is safe to say Roberto Carballes Baena worked hard for his second ATP Tour title.

The Spaniard, who needed a deciding set in all four of his completed matches this week, rallied past Alexandre Muller 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2 in three hours and two minutes on Sunday to win the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech.

“I am so tired, but I am very, very happy. It was a very, very tough match,” Carballes Baena said in his on-court interview. “I tried to fight every point. I don’t know what to say. I am so happy.”

The 30-year-old is projected to climb to a career-high No. 49 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday. Previously, his highest standing was No. 71.

Carballes Baena defeated three seeded opponents en route to the title in Marrakech, where he eliminated fifth seed Maxime Cressy in the first round, fourth seed Tallon Griekspoor in the quarter-finals and second seed Daniel Evans in the semi-finals.

For a moment, it seemed Carballes Baena might fall short of lifting his first ATP Tour trophy since 2018 in Quito. Muller was playing courageous tennis in the biggest match of his career, and they were knotted at 3/3 in the second-set tie-break.

But in the most critical moments, Carballes Baena produced his steadiest tennis. The Spaniard locked down from the baseline in the tie-break and allowed the Frenchman to misfire.

Then in the first game of the final set, Carballes Baena capitalised on his momentum by carving a perfect backhand drop volley winner to secure an immediate service break. The 30-year-old, who was motivated by the Moroccan crowd, did not look back from there.

“Unbelievable. The crowd was incredible,” Carballes Baena said. “In the second set I was a little bit tired, but the crowd was supporting me a lot and thank you very much!”

Muller, who will crack the world’s Top 100 for the first time Monday, continued to battle hard in his first ATP Tour final. The Frenchman earned three break points when Carballes Baena served for the match at 5-2, but was unable to claw all the way back.

After the 26-year-old missed a final jumping backhand, Carballes Baena fell to the court and put his hands on his head in celebration.

Daniil Medvedev has flourished on hard courts this season, winning four tour-level titles, including his fifth ATP Masters 1000 crown in Miami earlier this month.

Competing on clay at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters this week, Medvedev is ready to adapt his game for the clay-court swing.

“I definitely have to change my game because my strokes are too flat and clay does not let the ball go through the court as much,” Medvedev said in his pre-tournament press conference. “My opponents can use those [shots against me].

“At the same time, you can’t change what you do in nine months or a year drastically, so I have to find a good balance where I still play my game, with a little change, with some shots in the right moment.”

The third seed, who holds a 29-3 record on the year, has won 18 of his 19 tour-level trophies on hard courts. In contrast, he has never claimed an ATP Tour trophy on clay, with his best result in Monte-Carlo coming in 2019 when he reached the semi-finals.

The 27-year-old has made no secret of his love for hard courts in the past, but acknowledges the variety of surfaces is good for the sport.

“I wish we could continue on hard, but I understand that there are different surfaces on Tour and that is good because some people are better on clay, some on hard, some on grass,” Medvedev said. “It is good to have the different surfaces, I think that is good for the sport.”

Medvedev is currently first in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin. He will aim for a deep run in the Principality to stay in top spot, starting against Italian wild card Lorenzo Sonego or qualifier Ugo Humbert.

Novak Djokovic is looking to make a fast start to the clay-court swing this week when he leads the field as the top seed at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

The World No. 1 has not competed since he reached the semi-finals in Dubai in early March.

“I have done more training on clay, which is positive if you think about the clay season,” Djokovic said in his pre-tournament press conference. “I have not had much success in Monte-Carlo in the past two seasons. I haven’t played great tennis here, so I am hoping this year I can start the clay season better than in previous years and build my form.”

The Serbian, who suffered an opening-round exit in Monte-Carlo last year, has tasted success at the clay-court ATP Masters 1000 event, lifting the trophy in 2013 and 2015. Djokovic uses the Monte-Carlo Country Club as a training base and is excited to be competing at the prestigious venue again.

“It is a club I know very well. Quite a few top players reside in Monaco and use this club as a training base. The club transforms incredibly during the weeks of the tournament, but it is a great feeling to sleep in your own bed,” Djokovic said. “Being able to have a home feeling of playing in the tournament.

“The atmosphere is amazing, with the club being so intimate and small. It is noisy and great. People are so excited to watch tennis and this is the tournament that has been successful throughout the history of our sport.”

Djokovic is chasing a record-extending 39th ATP Masters 1000 crown this week in the Principality. The 35-year-old will begin his quest against American Mackenzie McDonald or a qualifier.

American Frances Tiafoe completed double duty Saturday to reach the Houston semi-finals.

Two-and-a-half hours after his second-round 6-2, 6-4 victory against Steve Johnson, the top-seeded Tiafoe returned to court and ousted Australian Jason Kubler 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals at the Fayez Sarofim & Co U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship.

“I haven’t played two matches in one day in a long time,” Tiafoe said. “I thought it was unbelievable how I was able to come out here and play so well.

“The ball was going much [faster], it was much warmer [than earlier], I was sweating a lot more. Obviously a totally different player. [Jason] has been playing well, he’s played a lot lately, so I knew he was going to come after me. It was a good match.”

The World No. 15 delivered a strong serving performance, winning 28 of 31 points off his first delivery to down sixth seed Kubler in one hour, 28 minutes. Tiafoe will next meet Houston-born Gijs Brouwer in the last four.

In his first tour-level event as the top seed, Tiafoe is eyeing his second title (Delray Beach, 2018). Should the 25-year-old win the ATP 250 crown, he would rise to a career-high No. 11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.

Brouwer, 27, held a 6-4, 5-6 lead on John Isner before play was suspended Thursday, but the Dutchman put the finishing touches on Saturday to down the fourth seed 6-4, 7-6(4). Brouwer then continued his strong run by upsetting fifth seed J.J. Wolf 6-3, 6-4 to advance to his first tour-level semi-final. Should the lefty reach the Houston final, he would crack the Top 100 of the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings for the first time.

After rain cancelled much of play the past three days at the ATP 250, the Houston semi-finals and championship match will be held Sunday.