Rajeev Ram won the Van Alen Cup for the second time in his career today. The trophy is named for International Tennis Hall of Fame founder Jimmy Van Alen, who invented the tennis’ tiebreak system. Photo by Jennifer Carter
(July 19, 2015)Three surprise winners took titles this week on the tennis tour – Rajeev Ram, who knocked out top seed John Isner on Tuesday took home his second Newport title. The top Swedish woman took home her country’s title in Bastad while Anna Karolina Schmiedlova knocked out top seed Sara Errani to win in Bucharest.
Ram stopped No. 2 seed Ivo Karlovic 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(2), the 31-year-old American ranked 161st coming into this week will move into the top 100 as of Monday. He became the third American to win multiple titles at this ATP World Tour grass-court event, this includes John Isner 2011-12 and Bryan Shelton 1991-92.
“To say that I felt like I’d be the winner at the end of the week… I had no idea,” Ram said. “The first one was more elation, this one is more satisfaction just because I did it again.”
Ram also won in Newport in 2009.
Seventh seeded Anna Karolina Schmiedlova upset No. 1 seed Sara Errani 7-6 (3), 6- to win the Bucharest Open final on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Slovak won the match in 97 degree heat, avenging a loss to the Italian in the Rio Open earlier this year.
“I still cannot believe I won, because it was a really tough match and Sara Errani is an amazing player,” Schmiedlova said to media. ”
“It’s tough to play against her anywhere, but especially on clay.” she said.
Johanna Larsson made her home country proud collecting the title at the Swedish Open, downing defending champion Mona Barthel 6-3, 7-6(2) for her first WTA title.
“I’m extremely happy,” Larsson said after the match. “I think I played really well today and I tried to concentrate on taking it point by point.
“I’m just really living in the moment right now and I’m happy with this victory today. Hopefully this can pay off later in the season, but right now I am just going to enjoy my first career WTA title.”