Nature Valley International: Wozniacki and Zverev capture Eastbourne titles

The Nature Valley International welcomed one champion back to the winners’ circle, and bestowed another with their maiden tour title, as Caroline Wozniacki battled past Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-6(5) and Misha Zverev defeated Lukas Lacko 6-4 6-4. 

Sabalenka was a force to be reckoned with on Saturday's first final of the day, as she held a break against the world No.2 in both sets and forced Wozniacki to save set points in the first. However, the Dane's resilience shone as she powered through to claim her 29^th career title.  

“It feels good, it's been a good week,” said the top seed. “I played some good tennis. I'm happy to be here and to have won the last match as well. I have been playing well for a while now, so I don't know. It just went well this week and I'm going to take it and not overthink things.”

Wozniacki first won the title in 2009, but despite the nine-year interim, said she never gave up hope of winning again at Devonshire Park: “I have played well here, in the years in between, I have played a lot of semi-finals and the final and it just feels like I have played well every time I have come here.”

Shortly after, fans were treated to a grass court masterclass as Zverev served and volleyed his way to his first ATP World Tour title. The German may not have played a final since Metz eight years ago, but he never faltered against his Slovakian opponent, becoming the eighth first-time winner on the ATP Tour this year.  

“It felt amazing,” said Zverev. “It was definitely one of the emotional moments in my life. Beating Andy Murray in Australia was special, but there you win a match, you're still in, the tournament's not over. But here you're the last one standing, pretty much, at the end of the week, and you have the trophy, so it's definitely a unique feeling.”

Zverev said he had always dreamed of winning at least one title. “For many years I didn't believe in myself, I didn't think I was going to do it, especially when I was ranked 1,100. But thank God I have my family and my brother and the whole team, and my wife is always telling me, no, you can achieve things, you can do big things. Just believe in yourself, work hard, and it's going to pay off one day.

"Luckily I have them, and luckily I was able to listen to them, believe in myself, and just keep working and wait for it. Finally, I'm here. It's incredible.”

The women’s doubles final wrapped up the action at Devonshire Park after a week that welcomed more than 51,000 people through the gates! Fourth seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Yifan Xu stormed to a 6-3 7-5 win against Irina-Cameila Begu and Mihaela Buzarnescu as the sun, which has been ever-present in Eastbourne this week, began to dip over centre court.