Ex-Wimbledon champion Vondrousova wins Berlin Open
Marketa Vondrousova claimed her first title since winning Wimbledon two years ago after she beat Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu in the Berlin Open final.The 25-year-old Czech has struggled with injury over the last year but put that behind her to win 7-6 (12-10) 4-6 6-2.She saved six set points in a tight first-set tie-break but came through that to take the opener.Wang, 23, had seen off four top-20 players to reach her first-ever tour final and she showed great resolve to get a break in the second set and level.But Vondrousova dominated the decider, getting the double break to send her on the way to a third career title and ensure she heads into Wimbledon with confidence."It was nice to see a full crowd. I really enjoyed the tennis this week and the support," Vondrousova said.Meanwhile, British doubles number one Olivia Nicholls partnered Tereza Mihalikova of Slovakia to win the doubles final as they beat top seeds Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini of Italy 4-6 6-2 10-6.
'Close to quitting' Bublik wins Halle Open
Alexander Bublik continued his impressive recent form by beating former world number one Daniil Medvedev 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to win the Halle Open.The Kazakhstan player had seen off world number one Jannik Sinner in the last 16 and this victory was his first in seven attempts against Medvedev.It took him one hour and 22 minutes to secure the win, which was his fifth ATP Tour title and his second in Halle after his 2023 win.Russian Medvedev, meanwhile, has now lost his last six Tour-level finals.With the win Bublik will rise to 30th in the world, having been outside the top 75 just one month ago."I had such tough months since last Wimbledon to probably this summer," he said."I was close to calling it quits after Wimbledon because I was not enjoying it anymore. Now this is happening. I don't know. Quarters at the French. Winner here. I have no words."
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Breaks helped Alcaraz get 'joy back again' Alcaraz has been reaping the benefits of striking the right balance between work and life during losing against Draper in the semi-finals at Indian Wells, Alcaraz said he was feeling "too much hate" and made the call to take a short break in Cancun, Mexico to did the same after his French Open win, opting for a short trip to Ibiza to switch off from the relentless demands of the ATP circuit."That was the key, just to have five, six days off, not grabbing a racquet, not stepping on the court," Alcaraz said."After the vacation that I had in Cancun with my family, I just got the joy back, and I start to enjoy playing tennis again, to enjoy step on the court, competing again."Alcaraz is not playing any other tournaments before Wimbledon but is not planning to sneak in a quick he intends to explore what London has to offer."I can't go back home. 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