By Canadian Press

Tommy Paul beat Canada’s Denis Shapovalov for ATP title at Stockholm Open

Nov 13, 2021 | 2:57 PM

STOCKHOLM — Tommy Paul won the first ATP Tour title of his career, beating Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to capture the Stockholm Open on Saturday.

The American player concluded the week of his life as a professional — during which he beat Andy Murray and compatriots Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe — by closing into the net on the back of a big first serve and hitting a winner on his third championship point.

Paul — wearing his cap back to front — only won two of his 12 break points against the defending champion, the big one coming at 4-4 in the third set when, at 0-40, he stretched to send a backhand down the line that Shapovalov couldn’t return at the net.

“It took my best tennis to beat Denis,” Paul said. “It’s the most fun I’ve had playing a tennis tournament.”

The No. 52-ranked Paul is assured of breaking into the world’s top 50 after this week. He won the boys’ singles title at the French Open in 2015.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

4h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

7h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

22h ago

“It was just a matter of time when he got a week like this,” said Shapovalov, who was defending the title he won in 2019.

The Richmond Hill, Ont., product won the Stockholm final in 2019 when he defeated Filip Krajinovic for his lone ATP Tour title.

The 2020 event was canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak.

___

More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Associated Press