Matteo Berrettini sounded a warning to the Wimbledon field on Sunday with a powerful display to win the ATP grass-court title at Queen’s Club in London.
The Italian claimed the first 500-level title of his career with a 6-4 6-7(5) 6-3 over local favourite Cameron Norrie.
Further north, history was made in Birmingham on the same day when Ons Jabeur won the grass-court title in Birmingham.
Playing in her third WTA final, Jabeur finally broke through for her first career title thanks to a 7-5 6-4 win over Daria Kasatkina – a result that saw her become the first Arab woman to win a tour-level trophy.
In Germany, qualifier Liudmila Samsonova and unseeded Frenchman Ugo Humbert were surprising champions at 500-level grass-court tournaments in Berlin and Halle respectively.
Samsonova defeated Belinda Bencic in Sunday’s final to win her seventh straight match in the German capital – and her first ever WTA title – while Humbert upset Andrey Rublev in straight sets to complete an impressive week in Halle.
Berrettini powers to Queen’s title
In his tournament debut, Berrettini’s serve, forehand and biting slice proved excellent weapons on the lawns at Queen’s.
The world No.9 beat Andy Murray in the second round and Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur in the semifinals to arrive in the final without having dropped a set.
And although the rapidly-improving Norrie pushed him hard in the final, Berrettini struck 19 aces to help him to a second career grass-court title.
"I was dreaming about playing this tournament. I was watching when I was a kid and now I had the chance to lift the trophy, so it’s a dream come true,” said Berrettini, whose previous four ATP titles came at 250-level.
"When you win a tournament, it means that you're playing good. But I think during the tournament, after every match I was increasing my level.
“I'm really happy with my performance overall."
Jabeur creates history in Birmingham
It felt like Jabeur had been building towards this moment, ever since she showed her grass-court skills in winning the ITF 100K tournament in Manchester in 2018.
Later that year she reached her first WTA final in Moscow, where she fell in three compelling sets to Kasatkina.
This season, Jabeur came even closer to winning her first WTA title, before fading to a 2-6 7-5 6-1 loss to Australia’s Astra Sharma.
Now, facing Kasatkina again, she finally enjoyed her breakthrough.
Ons Jabeur: History Maker
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) June 20, 2021
The Tunisian trailblazer is the 1st Arab woman to:
- Win a junior Slam (2011 RG)
- Make a Slam 3R (2017 RG)
- Make a Slam QF (2020 AO)
- Win a WTA singles title (2021 Birmingham)
- Rank inside the Top 70 - Currently highest-ranked ever at No.24. pic.twitter.com/gRvu05P9nr
"I knew I had to go for it, I had to win this title to at least breathe, and give an example," Jabeur said.
"There’s not a lot of Tunisian or Arabic players playing, so I hope this could inspire them, and I want to see more Arabic (players) and Tunisians playing with me on tour."
Samsonova stuns field in Berlin
Russia’s Samsonova was ranked No.106 as she began her campaign in Berlin in the qualifying rounds.
And after beating former world No.20 Ana Konjuh to reach the main draw, she hit her way past a succession of impressive names – Marketa Vondrousova, Veronika Kudermetova, Madison Keys and Victoria Azarenka – to reach her first final.
She quickly fell behind against world No.12 Bencic, but rallied to a 1-6 6-1 6-3 win.
A very happy Liudmila Samsonova in press @bett1open, says she just found out she’ll get a main draw wildcard into Wimbledon after winning her 1st WTA title.
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) June 20, 2021
"I was so, so nervous today, even before the match, during the first set. I said ‘Okay, let’s try to put more aggressive game.' And it worked,” said Samsonova, who vaults to 63rd in the rankings.
"It’s unbelievable. I didn’t expect it. I (did) dream it, but it’s amazing."
While Azarenka lost in the semifinals of the singles to Samsonova, she did team with fellow Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka to win the doubles title – a notable victory ahead of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
Humbert cracks top 25 with Halle win
In Halle, Humbert struck an inside-out forehand winner to seal a 6-3 7-6(4) win over Rublev, which delivered the left-hander his first 500-level title, and first on grass.
The 22-year-old, who won in Auckland and Antwerp last year, has risen to a career-high ranking of No.26.
Earlier in the tournament, Humbert stopped third seed Alexander Zverev before beating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4 3-6 7-6(5) in the semifinals – his fourth straight three-set win to arrive in the final.
“It is incredible. It is the best victory of my career,” said Humbert, now unbeaten in three ATP finals.