America’s Tommy Paul dismissed Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets to win his third title of 2024 at the Stockholm Open.
The world No.13 beat the Bulgarian third seed 6-4, 6-3, to win the Stockholm trophy for a second time in his career after 2021. Paul broke Dimitrov four times and hit a total of 19 winners against 14 unforced errors. It is the fourth time he has beaten a top 10 player this season after Casper Ruud (Indian Wells), Daniil Medvedev (Rome) and Hubert Hurkacz (Rome).
“I feel like every match I played a little bit better and better,” atptour.com quoted Paul as saying. “Today I came out playing amazing, so I was definitely happy with the performance.”
Paul didn’t drop a set in all four matches played in the Swedish capital. He also scored wins over Laslo Djere, Miomir Kecmanovic and Stan Wawrinka. The tournament is where he won his first ATP title three years ago when on that occasion he beat Denis Shapovalov in the final.
“It’s a very special place for me,” he said during the trophy ceremony. “This is where I got my first title a few years ago and to come out and play the level of tennis I did this week, it’s been a dream.”
As a result of his latest title, Paul will rise to 12th position in the ATP standings which equals his career best.
Khachanov survives test to win in Almaty
In Kazakhstan, Karen Khachanov won his first piece of silverware since February after overcoming Canada’s Gabriel Diablo 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.
Khachanov appeared to be in control of proceedings when leading by a set and 4-2 before Diablo battled back to draw level. In the decider, he regained his momentum by breaking the Canadian three times. Khachanov hit 21 winners and won 69% of his first service points.
“A lot of emotions, now I’m relieved and super happy,” he said of winning his seventh ATP crown. “You can’t expect a final to be easy, without tension, but it was until 6-2, 4-2. Then he started to relax, go for his shots a little bit more, and he suddenly turned the match around.”
It is the second time the Russian has won an ATP event this year after Doha. The last time he won multiple tournaments within the same year was back in 2018 when he won three. Coincidentally Almaty is also the first indoor hardcourt tournament he has won since 2018 when he triumphed at the Paris Masters by beating Novak Djokovic in the final.
Khachanov, who has been ranked as high as eighth in the world, has achieved a win-loss record of 29-20 since January on the Tour.
Bautista Agut turns back the years in Antwerp
Finally, Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut has become the oldest player in 2024 to win an ATP event outside of the Olympics at the European Open in Antwerp.
The 36-year-old procured a solid 7-5, 6-1, win over Czech fifth seed Jiri Lehecka. It is only the second time Bautista Agut has won an ATP indoor event since the 2016 Sofia Open. Overall, he has won 11 Tour trophies so far in his career.
Bautista Agut will return to the top 50 on Monday for the first time since October 2023.
