Tommy Paul captured his third Tour title by defeating Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets at the Queen’s Club where he required just 88-minutes to dispatch his Italian opponent 6-1 7-6(8) in the cinch Championships final.
I’m happy to get the win today but I’m happy to share the court with you Tommy Paul
Paul, the fifth seed in London, defeated Britain’s Jack Draper en route to the final after the home favourite had knocked out top seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarters.
And as a result of his victory, Paul overtakes Taylor Fritz as American No.1 who was knocked out by Aussie Jordan Thompson in the quarter finals.
Paul dominated from the start sweeping into a 3-0 lead before any response from the other side of the net, but Lorenzo was unable to build on that effort losing the next three games and the set in just 34-minutes.
In the second, Musetti raised his game and broke Paul when he was serving for the match at 5-4 following a surprisingly sloppy game from the American and succeeded in forcing a tiebreak.
And in the breaker the final came alive with both players going for it.
Having dropped behind Paul recovered from 1-4 in the breaker, saving a set point at 6-7 before eventually converting his second match point when Musetti misfired with a backhand.
Tommy Paul (R) poses with the trophy next to Lorenzo Musetti
(Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty)
Paul, who hit six aces and committed six unforced errors, raised his arms in the air following his victory and shared a smile with girlfriend Paige Lorenze and the rest of his team courtside.
Speaking on lifting the biggest title of his career so far, Paul said, “I want to congratulate Lorenzo on a good week he’s been playing amazing tennis. I’m happy to get the win today but I’m happy to share the court with you.
Paul now joins an illustrious list of American greats whose names are already inscribed on the massive Queen’s trophy, including Andy Roddick (2003-2005, 2007), John McEnroe (1979-1981, 1984), Jimmy Connors (1973, 1982, 1983) and Pete Sampras (1995, 1999).
“It means everything (to join them). Going through the hallways in here, the locker room, the names that are on the wall – it’s unbelievable and it was my goal always to put my name next to them.”
Despite his disappointing loss in what was the 22-year-old’s third career final, Musetti admitted: “Definitely one of the nicest weeks of my career so far.
“First of all I want to congratulate Tommy – he deserved to win, I was really struggling to get to his level. I saved face a little bit at the end with the break and fought really hard to try and get to the third set.
“I want to thank the LTA for their organisation of this fantastic tournament. It’s one of the nicest weeks on the tour and every time I step on this fantastic court, I’m really happy to play tennis and to have chosen tennis as a sport.”
With his 27th tour-level win of the season, Paul, 27, is set to rise one place to No. 12 in the Rankings which are published on Monday.
Girlfriend Paige Lorenze, an ‘influencer’, ‘bombs’ the photo call.
(Photo by Hannah Fountain – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Meanwhile protocol was certainly breached when his girlfriend joined him on court to pose with the trophy. Ms Lorenze is an ‘influencer’ and certainly made the most of the opportunity which has sparked off indignation in twitterland!
