Tennis: Cuevas continues hot streak in Croatia; Isner wins Atlanta again

After winning his first ATP title a week ago, Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas won his second on Sunday at the Croatian Open, while John Isner successfully defended his Atlanta title.

Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas celebrates his win at the ATP Croatian Open on Sunday over Tommy Robredo of Spain. AFP Photo / July 27, 2014

Croatian Open

Uruguayan qualifier Pablo Cuevas ousted defending champion Tommy Robredo in straight sets to win his second ATP title in as many weeks at the Croatian Open on Sunday.

Cuevas saw off the Spanish second seed 6-3, 6-4 in the final after earlier beating top seed Fabio Fognini in the rain-delayed semi-final.

Robredo had beaten Marin Cilic, the third seed, 7-6 (12/10), 6-3, in Sunday’s other semi-final after rain had washed out action on Saturday.

World No 60 Cuevas, who claimed his maiden title at the Swedish Open, also on clay, earlier this month, won through in 90 minutes.

Robredo, ranked 18th, was competing in his 20th final, and is now 12-8 in title matches.

In the first set both Cuevas and Robredo held serve until 3-2 when the South American made a break for a 4-2 lead.

The 28-year-old Uruguayan won the first set in 42 minutes 6-3. He immediately made a break in the second for a 1-0 lead. After he was leading 4-1, Robredo pressed, broke for 2-4 and 3-4.

But Cuevas was making less unforced errors and held on to win the second set and the match.

“I’m thrilled ... I had a fantastic week in Umag,” he said.

Robredo paid tribute to his opponent who “played a great match and the whole week at the tournament”.

Atlanta Open

Top-seeded John Isner won his second straight Atlanta ATP title on Sunday with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over unseeded Dudi Sela.

Isner fired 15 aces and broke Sela twice in the 71-minute encounter, remaining unbeaten in three career contests with Sela.

Isner nabbed his ninth ATP title and a second Atlanta crown. His triumph over South African Kevin Anderson in last year’s title match came after runner-up finishes to Mardy Fish in 2010 and 2011.

But the world No 12 had to fight his way through this week. In his opening match against fellow American Robby Ginepri, Isner fought off two match points en route to a 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 win.

Sunday’s victory gave Isner the lead in the US Open Series bonus challenge standings.

The top three finishers will vie for up to US$1 million (Dh3.6m) in bonus prize money at the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year that starts in Flushing Meadows next month.

“This is my favourite time of year,” Isner said of the hardcourt season in his homeland.

“I’m off to a very good start again. I look forward to playing Washington DC again. I’ve played well there my whole career.”

Sela had advanced to his first ATP World Tour final in almost six years, defeating ninth-seeded Sam Querrey and fourth-seeded Vasek Pospisil en route to the title match.

He lost in the 2008 Beijing final to now-retired Andy Roddick.

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