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There are some massive moves in the men’s rankings this week.
Ben Shelton, who made his first tour semifinal appearance at the US Open last month, continued his recent rich vein of form in Tokyo, making 18 winners and dominating his Russian opponent with his swinging lefty serve as he closed out the final in 84 minutes.
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The 21-year-old American won his first tour title, beating Aslan Karatsev 7-5, 6-1 at the Japan Open on Sunday.
Victory will move Shelton to a career-high No. 15 in the ATP rankings.
Speaking after the match, Shelton was delighted and spoke with a maturity that belied his relatively tender years.
He said: “That meant a lot to me and my team. We have been working really hard since the beginning to build my game and win titles on the ATP Tour.
Alexander Bublik, the Bublik Enemy, also climbs, up six places to world No 30 after winning the European Open. He is closing in on his previous career best, world No 25.
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The Kazakhstani beat France’s Arthur Fils 6-4 6-4 to win the European Open and his third ATP Tour title. The 26-year-old needed just 75 minutes to blast past his opponent in straight sets in Antwerp, using his serve to gain the upper hand and then seal the victory with an ace.
Bublik saved all three break points he faced and hit 28 winners to 18 for Fils.
“When we won the second title with my coach, I said: ‘Maybe that’s it, maybe I will never win one more.’ It was the greatest feeling ever,” said Bublik.
“So, being here again, winning another title, it means the world for me.”
Bublik won his first title in Montpellier, France, in 2022 and his second on the grass in Halle, Germany earlier this year.
Gael Monfils won his 12th ATP Tour title – and his first in almost two years – by beating qualifier Pavel Kotov in three sets in the Nordic Open final in Stockholm on Sunday.
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Monfils rallied to triumph 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3 and claim a second title at the event, which he also won in 2011.
The 37-year-old Frenchman, became the oldest champion in the history of the tournament, and the lowest-ranked player to win a tour-level competition since Borna Sosa in Cincinnati last year.
Gael Monfils now rises to 89 in the ATP World Rankings.