Andrey Rublev claimed victory at the Swedish Open in Bastad by defeating Casper Ruud in straight sets. The world number seven from Russia secured a 7-6 (7-3), 6-0 win over Norway’s Ruud, clinching his second title of the year. Meanwhile, Pedro Cachin, aged 28, secured his first career title at the Swiss Open, where he beat 35-year-old Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain with a scoreline of 3-6, 6-0, 7-5.
These clay-court events typically take place after Wimbledon and before the US hard-court swing. Although Ruud, ranked number four in the world, won the Bastad title in 2021, he couldn’t replicate that success this time as he was outplayed by Rublev, who had previously won a clay title at the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 event this season. On the other hand, Argentine Cachin, currently ranked 90th, will rise to a career-high ranking of 49 following his maiden title win in Gstaad, Switzerland. Ramos-Vinolas, despite being broken up in the third set, couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity to secure his fifth career title.
In other tennis events, French veteran Adrian Mannarino, aged 35, won his third ATP Tour title by defeating 18-year-old American Alex Michelsen 6-2, 6-4 at the Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.
In the Hopman Cup final in Nice, Croatia secured victory for the second time by defeating Switzerland 2-0. Donna Vekic, ranked 22nd in the world, led Croatia’s day with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Celine Naef, who is ranked 157. Borna Coric, ranked 15th in the world, sealed the victory with a 6-1, 6-4 triumph over 21-year-old Leandro Riedi, the world number 160. Croatia repeated their 1996 Hopman Cup triumph against Switzerland, a team that had previously won the title four times.
The Hopman Cup returned after a four-year hiatus, having been replaced by the short-lived ATP Cup men’s team event. The previous edition in 2019 saw Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic lead Switzerland to victory against Germany in an event named after Australian great Harry Hopman.
