#NextGenATP players Jared Donaldson and Mikael Ymer took the opportunity to experience the local culture in Chengdu on Sunday as they visited ‘Wangjian Lou’, one of Chengdu’s cultural attractions that roughly translates as ‘river view pavilion’.

The American and Swede took part in a game of mini-tennis in the park before learning the ancient local art of calligraphy from a ‘sifu’ (master).

“There are not a lot of similarities between American and Chinese culture – we don’t have bamboo and cultural places like this,” said Donaldson. “It’s a really beautiful setting. I remember learning calligraphy in the fourth grade, but I haven’t practised it since – I think I did a good job though!

“I’m lucky to have this opportunity to visit places like these as a professional tennis player; my friends would be jealous! I love playing tennis in Asia and in China. The atmosphere is great and it’s very cool to experience all these different cultures.”

Ymer added, “It’s my first time in China and Asia, so it’s really amazing. This place is very special and I’ve never seen anything like this. The bamboo is beautiful and the master was very nice to show us how to paint the calligraphy. I’m quite amazed we managed to do it quite well.

“Everyone is so nice here in China; the people and the tournament staff are all amazing. It’s very well organised. To explore places like this at 18 or 19 is really a privilege.”

The 20-year-old Donaldson, who is currently sixth in the Emirates ATP Race To Milan, will open his campaign against another #NextGenATP player, Stefanos Tsitsipas, who came through qualifying. Donaldson is looking for a strong run at this ATP World Tour 250 tournament to keep up his momentum in the bid to qualify for the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan.

The 19-year-old Ymer, a wild card entrant, will face Yen-Hsun Lu in the first round as he looks to claim his sixth tour-level win. 

Roman Jebavy and Matwe Middelkoop captured their first ATP World Tour doubles together on Sunday as they defeated top seeds Julio Peralta and Horacio Zeballos 6-4, 6-4 in the St. Petersburg Open final.

It is the 27-year-old Jebavy’s second ATP World Tour title after lifting the Istanbul trophy with Czech countryman Jiri Vesely in May. Middelkoop claimed his fourth career crown and second of the year, following victory in Sydney with Wesley Koolhof.

“We always wanted to play together but it was about finding the right moment,” said Middelkoop. “We first played in Gstaad a few months ago and then decided to play here and it was an excellent choice. We had great energy and I think that gave us this result.

“My mom is Russian and my grandmother is Russian. I was raised Russian and I lived there for a year. I have a nice feeling playing here. St. Petersburg is my second second city and to bring my grandmother to the middle of the centre court and see everyone cheering for her is an emotional moment.”

Against the top seeds in the final, the Czech/Dutch duo converted two of their seven break points to prevail in 62 minutes, winning 75 per cent of their service points.

“Last Saturday, I played Davis Cup against Matwe and then Monday morning we flew here,” said Jebavy. “We played our best and did really well. This is just a great tournament. I hope to be back next year.”

Jebavy and Middelkoop were playing together for just the second time this week, after making the Gstaad semi-final in July, and only dropped one set en route to the title at this ATP World Tour 250 indoor hard-court tournament. 

Against the top seeds in the final, the Czech/Dutch duo converted two of their seven break points to prevail in 62 minutes, winning 75 per cent of their service points. They received 250 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points and shared $54,220 in prize money.

Peralta and Zeballos were bidding for their fifth title together and dropped to a 4-3 finals record.

Home favourite Benoit Paire will go for his second ATP World Tour title on Sunday at the Moselle Open in Metz. The Frenchman snapped an eight-match semi-final losing streak on Saturday, beating Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1, 7-6(5).

The seventh seed struck 17 aces and saved all four break points against Basilashvili, who was looking to reach his second indoor ATP World Tour final of the season. The right-hander fell to Ryan Harrison of the U.S. in the Memphis Open final in February.

Before Saturday, Paire had lost all eight semi-finals he had played since October 2015, when he beat Kei Nishikori to reach the Tokyo final. But Paire improved to 3-0 against Basilashvili in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series to reach his fifth ATP World Tour final. Paire’s previous title was at 2015 Bastad (d. Robredo).

The 6’5” Paire will face a first-time finalist in German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk, who advanced when fifth seed and compatriot Mischa Zverev retired down 6-3, 1-0 because of the flu. Gojowczyk continues his strong second half of the season.

The 28 year old made the semi-finals at the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open in Newport. He is the sixth qualifier to advance to an ATP World Tour final this season. The last qualifier to win an ATP World Tour title was Frenchman Nicolas Mahut at 2015 ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

Doubles Final Set

Frenchmen Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin denied Paire a chance for two Metz titles. The third seeds beat Paire and Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-4 to reach Sunday’s doubles final. They will meet New Zealand’s Artem Sitak and Dutchman Wesley Koolhof.