Wozniacki and Azarenka Strike Again, ATP has 2 first-time titlists

Four tournaments were completed earlier today on 3 continents and the contrast between the ATP and WTA winners couldn't more different.  In the WTA tournaments, the top seeds and world nos. 1 and 6 prevailed, while in the ATP tournament two unseeded champions emerged, each claiming their 1st career title.

Charleston, United States (WTA Premier):

1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) def. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 6-2, 6-3

Vesnina had a nice run at this tournament including a win over the defending champion Sam Stosur, the world no. 1 was too in the end.  The Russian did, however, win the doubles title with Mirza.  For Wozniacki, it is her 3rd title already in the young season and the 15th of her career.  Interesting to note with all the winning she's been doing that this was her first win at a lower-level Premier event since New Haven right before the US Open.  This win should keep her confidence high heading into the meat of the clay schedule.  She also served up 6 aces in the final.

Marbella, Spain (WTA International):

1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) def. Q) Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 6-3, 6-2

Vika continued her winning streak by winning 5 matches in 6 days to capture the crown in Marbella, her 2nd win of 2011 and 7th of her career.  She will also move to #5 in the world, a career high, with this win coupled with Stosur failing in her title defense in Charleston.  Her match winning streak is now at 11.  I also must mention the run of Begu, a qualifier ranked outside the top 100 who beat 2 seeded players here including Kuznetsova.  The future is bright for Romanian tennis!

Houston, United States (ATP 250):

W) Ryan Sweeting (USA) def. 6) Kei Nishikori (JPN) 6-4, 7-6(3)

The only men's American clay event goes to an American, who wins his first career title after making his first career ATP semifinal and first career ATP final at this tournament.  Sweeting has been on a tear recently and now apparently can play on clay too.  The 2005 US Open boys champion will become the US #5 and is likely playing the best tennis of his career.

Casablanca, Morocco (ATP 250):

Pablo Andujar (ESP) def. 5) Potito Starace (ITA) 6-1, 6-2

Spain's depth continues to shine as Andujar becomes the 10th Spanish male to win a title in 2010 or 2011.  He had to beat two fellow Spaniards in the QF and SF including top seed Montanes on his way to his first career title.

That concludes the recap of last week's tournaments.

Now the men convene again in Monte Carlo for the "optional" Masters 1000 level tournament as the clay season gets rolling in earnest.  Rafael Nadal is the 6-time defending champion, and lost only one game in last year's final to Fernando Verdasco.  And speaking of Spaniards, there were 5 of them in last years quarterfinals, and 3 in last years semis.  David Ferrer and Novak Djokovic were the semi losers whereas Nalbandian, Kohlschreiber, Montanes, and Ferrero were the quarterfinal losers.

Djokovic has pulled out of Monte Carlo this year but Federer is playing and will be the #2 seed.  The real question mark here is who will be the losing finalist.

The women have no WTA tournaments this week but will be playing Fed Cup WG semifinals and playoff rounds.  I'll have a preview of those ties later this week.