Zverev, Daniel and Sousa Win ATP World Tour Titles This Week
(May 6, 2018) Alexander Zverev, Taro Daniel and Joao Sousa took home trophies this week on the ATP World Tour.
In Munich No. 3 Zverev defeated German countryman and three-time winner Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday. Zverev backed up last year’s win at the BMW Open – it was the first all-German championship match since Zverev lost to Florian Mayer at the 2016 Gerry Weber Open. It’s the German’s 7th career ATP World Tour title.
“I am obviously very happy with how I played,” said Zverev. “Very happy to get back-to-back titles here. It is a very special event for me so I am very happy that I could defend my title.”
Singles – Final
[1] A. Zverev (GER) d [6] P. Kohlschreiber (GER) 63 63
Doubles – Final
[2] I. Dodig (CRO) / R. Ram (USA) d [3] N. Mektic (CRO) / A. Peya (AUT) 63 75
Joao Sousa became the first Portuguese-born player to win a tournament on home soil when he defeated American Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-4 to claim the Millennium Estoril Open.
“It’s just amazing. It’s a dream come true,” Sousa said. “It is very special for a Portuguese player to win here on home soil. I know how hard the organization worked to make this tournament one of the best in the world and it’s just amazing. The crowd was unbelievable.”
Millennium Estoril Open
Singles – Final
J. Sousa (POR) d F. Tiafoe (USA) 64 64
Doubles – Final
K. Edmund (GBR) / C. Norrie (GBR) d W. Koolhof (NED) / A. Sitak (NZL) 64 62
Taro Daniel came into Istanbul, just trying to qualify for the tournament. the No. 114th player in the world came into the tournament as a lucky loser and became the ultimate winner on Sunday, besting another first-time finalist Malek Jaziri 7-6(4), 6-4.
Most remember the Japanese man’s biggest win, which came over 12-time major winner Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells in March.
“[I’m] obviously really happy. I think today was a great match, a lot of long rallies from the beginning until the end,” Daniel said after the match. “Very happy. I’m obviously pretty surprised that I suddenly won an ATP [World Tour title]. But I guess things like this happen.”
TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Open
Singles – Final
T. Daniel (JPN) d M. Jaziri (TUN) 76(4) 64
Doubles – Final
D. Inglot (GBR) / R. Lindstedt (SWE) d [1] B. McLachlan (JPN) / N. Monroe (USA) 36 63 10-8
