Marin Cilic, Tomas Berdych Repeat As Champions - Mondays with Bob Greene

Mondays with Bob Greene

STARS

Marin Cilic beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4 6-4 to win the Kremlin Cup by Bank of Moscow men’s singles in Moscow, Russia

Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 6-1 to win the women’s singles at the Kremlin Cup by Bank of Moscow in Moscow, Russia

Tomas Berdych beat Jack Sock 7-6 (1) 6-2 to win the If Stockholm Open in Stockholm, Sweden

David Ferrer beat Steve Johnson 4-6 6-4 75 to win the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, Austria

Misaki Doi beat Mona Barthel 6-4 6-7 (7) 6-0 to win the BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open in Luxembourg, Luxembourg

SAYING

“Playing in Moscow’s really hard for me because it’s the one I want most. It’s pretty much the same emotions as at Roland Garros.” – Svetlana Kuznetsova, after winning the Kremlin Open, her first title in her native Russia.

“It was painful that the final turned out like that, but I’m happy that I made the final.” – Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Kremlin Open.

“It’s one of the goals for next season. A tournament hat trick would be a wonderful achievement. Three consecutive titles at the same tournament? This I haven’t done in my career.” – Marin Cilic, when asked if he would return to the Kremlin Cup next year.

“I found a way to deal with a tough situation in the first set. Afterwards I was able to find my game and get better and better.” – Tomas Berdych, after winning the Stockholm Open for the second straight year and for the third time in four years.

“I am 33 years old. I hope I have two more years to go.” – David Ferrer, after winning the Erste Bank Open in Vienna.

“I had an awesome week and am super proud about how I played. I’m not going to be sad about this week and I look forward to the rest of the year. I have gained a lot of confidence and will work hard in the off season because I know I can beat these guys.” – Steve Johnson, who played in his first ATP World Tour final, losing to David Ferrer.

“The Hall of Famers are individuals who I have admired from the time I was a young girl, throughout my career, and to this day. To be nominated for induction into this group and to have my career recognized in this way is a great honor, and I thank the committee for the nomination.” – Justine Henin, who has been nominated for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

SECOND STRAIGHT

The last time Marin Cilic played in an ATP World Tour final, he beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4 6-4 to win the Kremlin Cup. Cilic reached the Moscow tournament’s title match again this year, and again he faced Bautista Agut – the first time in the event’s 26-year history that the same two players had competed in consecutive finals. Again it was Cilic who wound up a 6-4 6-4 winner. “I’m glad the result was repeated,” the top seed said after besting his Spanish opponent. “Last year was emotional for me. Of course this year’s a little different. I felt very comfortable and relaxed on the court. Perhaps the victory this year is special in the sense that it is usually more difficult to defend than to win the tournament for the first time.” Cilic, who won the US Open in 2014, played only one tournament in the first three months of this season because of a right shoulder injury. Against Bautista Agut, he never dropped serve and had nine aces in the victory.

SWEET STOCKHOLM

Tomas Berdych matched Marin Cilic feat of successfully defending a tournament title. The Czech captured the Stockholm Open by stopping Jack Sock after the American forced a first-set tiebreak. That’s when the top seed found his form, winning the tiebreak 7-1, then racing through the second set for the victory. “I’ve definitely built up a good history here, which always helps,” said Berdych after winning his third Stockholm title in four years. “Sometimes you find a place in the world that suits you well, and it’s the case here.” Sock earned the first break of serve in the match and served for the opening set at 5-4. That’s when Berdych broke back to force the tiebreak.

STELLAR SPAINARD

David Ferrer has been perfect this year when he reaches a tournament’s last match. The top-seeded Spaniard improved his record to 5-0 in finals this season by coming from behind and beating American Steve Johnson at the Erste Bank Open. The victory all but secured Ferrer a spot in next month’s season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London. “I am glad for all the support in my second final in Vienna,” said Ferrer, who lost the title match a year ago to Andy Murray. Playing in his first ATP World Tour final, Johnson gave Ferrer a battle, but the 33-year-old Spaniard proved to be up to the task. The American grabbed the first three games of the opening set, while three straight breaks at the start gave Ferrer an early advantage in the second. The final set went with serve until Johnson led 5-4. Ferrer then won the last three games to add the Erste Bank Open crown to his growing trophy case.

SVETLANA’S DREAM

It was a dream come true for Svetlana Kuznetsova. The Russian veteran ended her 14-month title drought by capturing the Kremlin Cup women’s singles. “Deep down I always wanted to win this tournament,” said Kuznetsova, whose last title came at Washington in August 2014. “Finally my dream’s come true. I’m really happy to win this particular title.” A two-time Grand Slam tournament champion, winning the US Open in 2004 and Roland Garros five years later, Kuznetsova had never won a tournament in her home country until now. Against fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Kuznetsova was dominant. Pavlyuchenkova, the defending champion, appeared to tire as Kuznetsova took the opening set in 40 minutes. The winner raced out to a 5-0 lead before Pavlyuchenkova won a game. “Unfortunately I failed to recover to play on a normal level today,” the loser said. “But I’m proud to play in my second consecutive Kremlin Cup final.”

SET FOR FAME HALL VOTE

Belgium’s Justine Henin, who won seven Grand Slam tournament singles titles, heads the nominees up for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Also nominated in the recent player category are two-time Grand Slam tournament winner Marat Safin of Russian and Czech doubles specialist Helena Sukova. Two champions have been nominated posthumously in the Master Player Category: Yvon Petra of France and Margaret Scriben of Great Britain. The Class of 2016 will be announced early next year and an induction ceremony will be held July 16 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, USA. Both Henin and Safin were ranked number one in the world.

SUCCESS

Going into the Luxembourg Open, Misaki Doi had lost four straight matches. In her first-round match she twice was a break down in the third set before she got past fourth-seeded Andrea Petkovic. In the quarterfinals, the left-hander upset former world number one Jelena Jankovic. Doi completed her surprising run by winning her first career WTA title, beating Mona Barthel in the final. “It was an incredible moment and I’m just happy,” Doi said. After losing the second set, Doi fell behind 0-40 to begin the decider. “The key point was that first game,” she said. “It was 0-40 but I tried to focus on every single point and built confidence from there.” Doi sailed through the final set for the title.

Barthel came away with a title, teaming with Laura Siegemund to win the doubles.

SICK CALL

After losing the opening set, Marcos Baghdatis withdrew from his semifinal match at the Stockholm Open with an injury. “It’s not the way you want to finish the match,” said the winner, Tomas Berdych, after his opponent had left the court. Berdych told Swedish TV that Baghdatis said it was a recurrence of a long-standing injury. Baghdatis looked sluggish as Berdych ripped through the opening set in 26 minutes. The Cypriot had won the event in 2009.

SPECIAL RING

Martina Hingis looks as if she wants to be inducted twice into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHoF). After the Swiss star was inducted in the Newport, Rhode Island, USA, shrine in 2013, she returned to tennis playing only doubles. Now, she is co-ranked number one in the world with her partner, India’s Sania Mirza. The two qualified for the season-ending BNP Paribas WTA Finals in Singapore where Hingis received her Hall of Fame ring from ITHoF CEO Todd Martin. Hingis won five Grand Slam tournament titles in 2015, two in women’s doubles and three in mixed. “These are the moments we live for, and why we come back and play,” Hingis told the Singapore crowd. “It’s thanks to you that I tried to come back and cherish every single moment.” This past summer Hingis was named a Global Ambassador for ITHoF.

SAYONARA

Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen ended his 16-year career at one of his favorite tournaments, the Stockholm Open. After losing his final singles match to Spain’s Nicolas Almagro, Nieminen cried as he sat courtside with a towel draped over his head. “My emotions were on the surface,” the left-hander said, “but when the audience applauded … I felt empty.” His final match came in doubles, where he teamed with his friend, Sweden’s Johan Brunstrom. They received a wild-card entry into the tournament, but failed to get past the first round. Nieminen reached the Stockholm Open final three times – in 2001, 2006 and 2011 – but never won the trophy. “Swedes have supported me since the beginning, even when they have had some great players,” said the 34-year-old Finn, who was ranked 13^th in the world in 2006. “They have treated me very well.”

SHARED PERFORMANCES

Luxembourg: Mona Barthel and Laura Siegemund beat Anabel Medina Garrigues and Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-2 7-6 (2)

Moscow (men): Andrey Rublev and Dmitry Tursunov beat Radu Albot and Frantisek Cermak 2-6 6-1 10-6 (match tiebreak)

Moscow (women): Daria Kasatkina and Elena Vesnina beat Irina-Camelia Begu and Monica Niculescu 6-3 6-7 (7) 10-5 (match tiebreak)

Stockholm: Nicholas Monroe and Jack Sock beat Mate Pavic and Michael Venus 7-5 6-2

Vienna: Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo beat Jamie Murray and John Peers 4-6 7-6 (3) 10-6 (match tiebreak)

SURFING

Valencia: www.valenciaopen.tennis/

Basel: www.swissindoorsbasel.ch/de-de/

Singapore: www.wtafinals.com/

Poitiers: www.ifv86.com

Monterrey: www.sierramadretennisclub.com/