KUZNETSOVA, DEL POTRO HEADLINE THIS WEEK IN TENNIS

This Week In Tennis
​Vol. 42

Tennis crowned five singles titlists across the WTA and ATP tours last week: Juan Martin del Potro (Stockholm), Svetlana Kuznetsova (Moscow), Richard Gasquet (Antwerp), Pablo Carreno Busta (Moscow), and Monica Niculescu (Luxembourg). Kuznetsova defended her title in Moscow to secure the eighth and final spot at the WTA Finals in Singapore, an event that had already begun before she lifted the trophy at the Kremlin Cup to qualify. Elsewhere, Rafael Nadal shut down his 2016 season the same week that he officially opened his tennis academy in Mallorca. 

For these and other stories from the past week in the tennis world, #ThisWeekInTennis provides a recap through news reports, player tweets, tennis writing, rankings, and podcasts.

RUNDOWN

• Svetlana Kuznetsova defended her Kremlin Cup title from 2015 to book the eighth and final spot at the WTA Finals in Singapore, the sixth time Kuznetsova has qualified for the event in her career. 
• Juan Martin del Potro defeated Jack Sock to win in Stockholm and claim his first ATP title in 33 months. 
• Pablo Carreno Busta won the second title of his career -- and this year -- when he beat Fabio Fognini in the Moscow final. As for the Italian, Fognini had these words to say to Carreno Busta while accepting his runner-up trophy.
• Monica Niculescu turned in a surprising 6-4 6-0 win over Petra Kvitova in the Luxembourg final for the 3rd title of her career.
• Richard Gasquet won the inaugural event in Antwerp, beating Diego Schwartzman in the final for his second title of 2016.
• Rafael Nadal announced he will shut it down for the rest of the 2016 season. He will no longer compete in Basel or Paris, nor will he travel to London for the World Tour Finals should he still qualify.
• In happier news for Nadal, the Spaniard opened his tennis academy in Mallorca, enlisting the help of Roger Federer for the event. 
• Jurgen Melzer is now only the second active player to score at least 300 match wins in both singles and doubles (Stepanek). Melzer went on to win 
• Daria Gavrilova, beaten finalist in Moscow, is enjoying the most successful stretch of her career. Gavrilova rises 13 spots to #24 in the latest WTA rankings and is four spots behind Sam Stosur for Australian #1.
• Kyle Edmund cracks the top 40 for the first time in his career after a semifinal showing in Antwerp.
• ​With Kuznetsova's Moscow win, Jo Konta will not qualify for the WTA Finals. However, she did win the WTA Most Improved Player title. 
• The Zhuhai WTA Elite Trophy field of 12 is set. Defending champion, Venus Williams, will not participate.
• Swedish brothers Elias and Mikael Ymer won their first ATP doubles title, on home turf in Stockholm.

It was love ❤️ from first ... pic.twitter.com/ZGkpBlKFZA

— Svetlana Kuznetsova (@SvetlanaK27) October 22, 2016

Thanks so much to Mum and Dad for spending the week with me in Luxembourg! We had a great time together □ @Iwtp_lux pic.twitter.com/1LP3BfKqH4

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) October 22, 2016

It's crazy.. https://t.co/V4SUjgADJ2

— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) October 21, 2016

As long as one of us isn't suspended. We continue to work @ajlatom ✌□□□□□□ https://t.co/P7ixCgV7j0

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) October 18, 2016

Gran semana a pesar de no poder en la final. Se sigue mejorando que siempre es el objetivo. □□□□□□ pic.twitter.com/Bjw28Xt5A2

— diego schwartzman (@dieschwartzman) October 23, 2016

Qué felicidad!!! // So happy!!! □□ pic.twitter.com/76bQaoPFYV

— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) October 23, 2016

It is no secret that I arrived to the Olympic Games short of preparation and not fully recovered, but the goal... https://t.co/bvU9pfQfGd

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 20, 2016

Thanks @RogerFederer for helping us with the inauguration of the @RNadalAcademy! A pleasure to have your support!! pic.twitter.com/ENw7kvkDlf

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 19, 2016

Joined @RafaelNadal at the opening of his Academy. We'll share a lifetime of memories from the □court. Wouldn't miss this one off the court# pic.twitter.com/JfWB85ahXj

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) October 20, 2016

Kyrgios-- you want to be the best-- come see me-- you will learn to play, excite, and to win!! It's you choice-- or just be mediocre!gd luck

— Jimmy Connors (@JimmyConnors) October 20, 2016

​RANKINGS WATCH

• ​ATP: Gasquet (+3 to #16), Ferrer (-4 to #19), Ramos-Vinolas (+5 to #26), Johnson (-7 to #31), Carreno Busta (+4 to #32), del Potro (+21 to #42), Schwartzman (+23 to #54), Evans (-6 to #60), Brown (+6 to #68), Monteiro (+8 to #80), Seppi (+13 to #87), Harrison (+7 to #98)

​

• ​WTA​​: Kvitova (-2 to #13), Gavrilova (+13 to #24), Makarova (+5 to #30), Niculescu (+14 to #37), Doi (-9 to #39), Konjuh (+10 to #48), Goerges (+9 to #55), Jankovic (-9 to #56), Tsurenko (-10 to #59), Safarova (-24 to #63), Davis (+13 to #72), Schiavone (+6 to #91), Vekic (+19 to #97)

​ON THE WEB

Small Cibulkova's big heart helps her stand tall​
​Asian Tennis Seeks a Homegrown Star
With Serena Williams Out, WTA Finals Offer Peek at the Future
​Wanted: Women to Coach Female Tennis Players
​Kerber looks to complete career year with Singapore win
​Keys Rolls Into Singapore
​Lesson learnt after sharing the court with Seles
​Tie Break Tens Showed that Tennis Shouldn't be Afraid to Experiment
​Canada’s tennis surge creates cheers – but also challenges
​Jamie Murray awarded OBE for services to sport and charity

​PODCASTS

No Challenges Remaining - Sinking, Tanking, and Politicking
Tennis Connected - Previewing the WTA Finals in Singapore
Tennis.com - FINAL THOUGHTS ON KYRGIOS; FIRST LOOK AT WTA FINALS
​MTO - Multiple Episodes from Singapore
WTA Insider - Multiple Episodes from Singapore
The Tennis Podcast - WTA Finals Preview - Kerber, Halep, Muguruza, Keys all join us....