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By Chris Oddo | Monday, February 16th, 2015

 
Andrea Petkovic

Andrea Petkovic showed heart during her run to the Antwerp title. We give props to her and all the week's heroes here.

Photo Source: Christopher Levy

Another week is in the books, and a fresh batch of heroes—and zeros—to go with it. Find out who got high marks and who didn’t make the grade in Rotterdam, Sao Paulo, Antwerp and beyond right here.

The Trophy Kissers

Kei King of Memphis

Others have tried. Namely, Jimmy Connors, Todd Martin and Tommy Haas, who each won back to back Memphis Open titles. But only Kei has done the Memphis hip shake three times in a row. There was another thing that Nishikori did three times in a row in Memphis, and it sums up the maturation and grittiness of Japan’s No. 1 player aptly: Nishikori became the first player to win three consecutive matches from a set down at the same event in three years.

The talent—raw explosiveness and backhand wizardry—has always been there. Now, with added layers of muscle and determination, Nishikori keeps on proving that he may indeed have the stuff to be No. 1 in the world someday.




Petko Power in Antwerp

Yes, Petko’s title run in Antwerp was slightly diminished by her walkover in the final, but anyone who saw the German save eight match points in a remarkable display of fortitude to defeat Alison Van Uytvanck knows that this was a week to remember for Petkovic. And, she rises back to the top ten for the first time in nearly three years.


Pablo Cuevas Storms Sao Paulo

Cuevas took the Sao Paulo title to extend his career record in finals to 3-0 and become the first Uruguayan to ever win the Brasil Open.


Queen of Thailand: Daniela Hantuchova

Hantuchova improved to 15-1 at the PTT Thailand Open in Pattaya, coming back from a set down to defeat Ajla Tomljanovic in the final just one day after saving two match points in the semis to defeat Marina Erakovic. It was Hantuchova’s seventh career title and first since hiring Carlos Rodriguez as her coach.

The Stanimal Runs Rotterdam

We mention him last, but Stan Wawrinka’s title run in Rotterdam may have been the most impressive performance of the week in tennis. Wawrinka downed defending champion Tomas Berdych in the final to improve his 2015 record to 14-1.


The Shot Heard 'Round the Tennis World

Dustin Brown’s Tweener

Yes, it was SICK with all caps!

Tennis Tweener In Tennessee
The Story: Luca Vanni Goes Rags to Riches in a Single Week

Luca Vanni had never won a tour level match before last week, but the 29-year-old Italian harnessed all of his god given talent to put together a run for the ages at the Brasil Open in Sao Paulo. He won three matches after a first-round bye and reached the final. Only an inspired effort by Pablo Cuevas kept him from completing what would have been one of the most inspiring and improbable title runs in recent memory.


Top Tweets

1. Rafa partied in Rio. And, it was beautiful.

2. Mama Kim Clijsters, doing the work that needs to be done in Antwerp.
3. Garbine Muguruza, going against the grain on Valentine’s day…

It Must Be Love Moment of the Week

The Birdman plays Sesame Street!


Instagram of the Week:

Rafa, busting out the Samba moves!




Who’s Hot? Caro’s hot, that’s who:

Caroline Wozniacki spiced up our timelines this week with sneak peeks at her photo shoot for SI.





From the rumor mill:

Grigor and Maria engaged? We still don’t know. All we have is this rumor:


And this tweet from Maria. What does it tell us? We know nothing!



Zero of the Week: Grigor Dimitrov

The Bulgarian may or may not have had a point about this controversial moment during his three-set victory over Paul-Henri Mathieu. Stuff happens on a tennis court. What we didn't like is the finger pointing in the chest bit. Just not what we like to see...


Winner of the Tim Smyczek Weekly Sportsmanship award: Gael Monfils

 

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