Federer wins, reclaims top spot in the rankings

Roger Federer defeated Nick Kyrgios 6-7 (2), 6-2, 7-6 (5) to book his place in the Stuttgart Open final and reclaim the No. 1 ranking from Rafael Nadal on Saturday in Germany.

The Swiss great will play Milos Raonic as he bids for his 18th grass-court title.

Raonic earlier hit 19 aces and saved the only break point he faced as he defeated defending champion Lucas Pouille 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the other semifinal.

Federer was pushed all the way by the fourthseeded Kyrgios, who had 23 aces.

Kyrgios forced a minibreak in the deciding tiebreak, but Federer remained steady and sent a short backhand past the Australian on his first match point to clinch the win.

Federer, in his first tournament since March, was trailing Nadal by 100 points at the start of the week and is guaranteed of taking the top spot on Monday regardless of how Sunday’s final goes. It will be Raonic’s first final since the 2017 Istanbul Open. The Canadian won his last title at the 2016 Brisbane International.

MURRAY RETURNING

Andy Murray has confirmed he will make his return to competitive tennis at the Queen’s Club tournament next week after almost a year out injured and faces Nick Kyrgios in his opening match.

The three-time major winner has not played since last year’s Wimbledon due to a hip injury and subsequent surgery.

Murray practiced at Queen’s on Friday ahead of next week’s grass-court Fever-Tree Championships, delayed a decision until Saturday and then told tournament officials he would be there.

“Andy Murray has confirmed that he will play,” the tournament said on its official Twitter account.

Murray has a good record against 24th-ranked Kyrgios, winning all five of their meetings.

French Open champion Rafael Nadal withdrew Wednesday from Queen’s in an attempt to be ready for Wimbledon.

Queen’s is one of the main warmup tournaments for Wimbledon, which begins on July 2

NOTTINGHAM FINAL

Johanna Konta overcame a rain delay and defending champion Donna Vekic to secure a place in the Nottingham Open final for the second successive year.

Local hope Konta beat Croatia’s Vekic 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinals.

The top-seeded Ashleigh Barty awaits in Sunday’s final after the Australian beat Naomi Osaka of Japan 6-3 6-4.

Barty broke third-seeded Osaka three times and didn’t face a break point in serve.

Konta beat Barty in the quarterfinals last year before losing to Vekic in the final.

This time, the British No. 1 breezed through the opening set. Vekic called for the trainer and looked ready to go for treatment when rain forced them all off.

After around an hour delay, Konta moved 3-1 ahead only for the Croatian to break back and level. Konta closed out the match with another break.