These three events are not exactly at the top of the heap in terms of prize money or prestige, but the wins and computer points all count.
- John Isner avenged his loss to Jack Sock in Newport with a straight set semifinal win. His showings during the US Open Series often buttress John Isner’s standing in the ATP rankings. Isner’s results in the US are typically strong whereas he has some strange patches when playing outside of the US.
- Pablo Andujar reached the semifinals in Rio and had match points versus Rafa. He looked poised for a big clay court season. That did not materialize prior to Roland Garros, but the Gstaad title and Rio semifinal are nice achievements. Carlos Moya used solid play in these type of events in 2002 to gain momentum and take a title in Cincinnati essentially launching a nice 3 year period for his career. Perhaps, Andujar will build on this title.
- Pablo Cuevas won his first ATP title at Bastad and took the final match in under one hour. At 28 years of age, he broke through later than I am sure he was hoping, but a first title has to be sweet.