Tommy Paul Wins First ATP Title In Stockholm - UBITENNIS

Tommy Paul Wins First ATP Title In Stockholm

The American denied his Canadian opponent Denis Shapovalov the chance to defend his title.

By Elias Laradi
3 Min Read

Tommy Paul is the 2021 Stockholm Open champion after beating the world number 18 Denis Shapovalov who was looking to defend his title but failed.

The unseeded American needed three sets oust Shapovalov 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in two hours and 12 minutes to win the title. The win assures Paul will finish the year ranked 43 in the world. In his latest match, he won 63% of his first-serve points in the win and saved three out of the five break points he faced.

“I played some of my best tennis to beat Denis,” atptour.com quoted the 24-year-old as saying afterwards. “It’s the most fun I’ve had playing a tennis tournament. It means everything to win my first title. I’ve worked so hard to achieve this and I’d like to break into the Top 30 at some point.”

Playing in his maiden Tour final, Paul got off to a fighting start by earning two chances to break in the first game of the match but Shapovalov saved both and was able to hold serve. The match remained on serve until 2-2 when the American managed to get the first break. That one break of serve was enough for him to serve out the first set and close in on the trophy.

However, Shapovalov didn’t go away quietly and in the second set he managed to break Paul’s serve to take a 2-0 lead. He also saved five breakpoints in the set before breaking the American once again to send the match to a third set.

With all to play for, the decider stayed on serve with Paul looking for the early break but the world number 18 kept denying him the opportunity. At 4-4, the world number 52 managed to finally break the Canadian to love sealing the break with a great passing shot at 0-40. Paul served out the match to love to seal the win.

“It’s my first title. I’ve been working so hard to get my first title with my coach Brad (Stine) and the people at home a lot of work done behind the scenes,” Paul said during the trophy ceremony.
“Definitely not where I want to be yet. I want to keep winning and move up in the rankings. I want to be like this guy. Hopefully I can get like Top 30 or Top 20 I just want to win a lot of matches next year.”

Shapovalov will now focus his attention on the Davis Cup Finals in Madrid where he will be representing Canada who will be looking to do one better this year they reached the final back in 2019.

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