ReutersSabalenka outguns Azarenka to win inaugural Ostrava Open
Former world number one Azarenka, who has been in top form since tennis restarted following its pandemic-enforced hiatus, needed a medical timeout in the second set and ended up losing the match in 68 minutes. "I want to first of all congratulate Aryna and her team on a good week," Azarenka said. Sabalenka had to twice battle back from the brink of defeat -- first against American Coco Gauff and then against Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo -- to reach the final, but showed no sign of the inconsistencies that have often dogged her on the big stage.
Associated PressSabalenka cruises past Azarenka for title at Ostrava Open
Third-seeded Aryna Sabalenka cruised to the title at the inaugural Ostrava Open on Sunday, defeating fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 6-2 in the first WTA all-Belarusian final. The big-hitting 22-year-old Sabalenka dominated the match but her former top-ranked opponent was visibly limited by an unspecified health problem in the second set and needed a medical time out and one more brief treatment. It was the second title of the season for the 12th-ranked Sabalenka after the Qatar Total Open in Doha in February, and seventh overall of her career.
ReutersZverev beats Sinner to keeps hopes of Cologne double alive
The German world number seven claimed his first ATP crown of the year after besting Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3 6-3 to win the bett1HULKS Indoor title at the same venue last Sunday. Zverev, who was beaten by Sinner in the French Open last-16, made the more nervy start and soon found himself trailing 3-1 in the opening set. The German broke Sinner in the seventh game and drew level at 4-4, but neither player was able to hold serve again as the set headed to a tiebreak, where Zverev's booming forehand came to the fore as he sealed the opener.
