WTA/ATP: Experience leading the title charge

Sabalenka at the summit again

On Monday, Aryna Sabalenka regained her throne as the world No.1 once again - replacing Iga Swiatek as the leading light in women's tennis.

The three-time Grand Slam champion tweeted: "N1…. Let’s see for how long this time."

Back in September 2023, the 26-year-old was on top spot for eight weeks.

A recent trio of titles in Cincinnati, US Open and Wuhan have re-launched Sabalenka above Swiatek by just 41 ranking points. Will she manage to finish the year on top of the world? Find out at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, from 2 to 9 November!

Kasatkina back in the elite

Daria Kasatkina returned to the world's Top 10 with a second title of the season. The No.5 seed prevailed in an undulating 6-0, 4-6, 6-4 encounter with teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva in the Ningbo Open final.

The 27-year-old managed to erase a 0-3 deficit in the decider and as a result, Kasatkina collected an eighth career title to climb two rankings spots to No.9.

The Kasatkina consistency has been underpinned by a further four final defeats in 2024, something close friend Andreeva jokingly referenced in the trophy ceremony, congratulating the champion for "finally closing one out."

Over to Kasatkina for a response: "Thanks for reminding me that I lost so many finals this year," she said. "Congratulations on the final, I saw you crying but you are going to make a lot of them. I hope we will share some more of them in the future."

TP's full circle in Sweden

Rewind to 2021 and Tommy Paul was an ATP champion for the first time over in Stockholm.

Back on Swedish soil, the American ruled the event once again, dispatching Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3 to capture his third ATP title of the campaign.

"I feel like every match I played a little bit better and better,” said Paul, who didn’t lose a set all week . "Today I came out playing amazing, so I was definitely happy with the performance.

"It's a very special place for me. This is where I got my first title a few years ago and to come out and play the level of tennis I did this week, it's been a dream."

The 2024 Dallas and Queen's winner surges up to 10th in the live race to Turin for an ATP Finals spot. Paul is now within 485 ranking points of Andrey Rublev in 8th.

Khachanov almighty in Almaty

ATP final debutant Gabriel Diallo pushed him all the way, but Karen Khachanov powered down the home straight for a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 scoreboard in the Almaty final.

The world No.24 defied Canadian youngster Diallo for his seventh ATP title – his first indoor hard court silverware since Rolex Paris Masters glory back in 2018.

"A lot of emotions" said Khachanov. "You can’t expect a final to be easy, without tension, but it was until 6-2, 4-2. Then he started to relax, go for his shots a little bit more, and he suddenly turned the match around. Now I’m relieved and super happy."

RBA returns to the winner's circle

Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut has been rewarded for his perseverance with a trophy lift in Antwerp.

The 36-year-old outgunned Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-1 to clinch his first title since 2022, boosting his finals record to 12-11.

“This one is very special,” said Bautista Agut. “I broke my foot last year and I had to fight so hard this year. I went back to 120 in the world, but I was still going to practice with a smile on my face, trying to be a better player, to fight until the end of my career. I think I deserved a week like this.”

Lamens awesome in Osaka

Suzan Lamens completed the rare feat of surging from qualifying all the way to being hailed champion. The Dutchwoman became a first-time winner with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Kimberly Birrell in the Japan Open silverware showdown.

Lamens, up to a career-high world No.88, surrendered just one set across her seven matches and becomes just the second qualifier to lift a tour title in 2024. In fact, Lamens versus Birrell was the fifth all-qualifier WTA final since 1990.