Tommy Paul’s best season on tour continued on Sunday at what has become his best tournament. Paul captured the Nordic Open title for the second time in his career, taking down Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3 on the indoor hard courts of Stockholm.
Paul, who did not lose a single set all week long, also lifted the Stockholm trophy in 2021. The 13th-ranked American now owns four ATP titles, having also triumphed in Dallas and at Queen’s Club earlier this season. He is up to No. 10 in the race to the Nitto ATP Finals, passing none other than Dimitrov.
“I feel like every match I played a little bit better and better,” Paul said. “Today I came out playing amazing, so I was definitely happy with the performance…. It’s a very special place for me. 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.”
At the European Open, unseeded Roberto Bautista Agut beat Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-1 for his 12th ATP title.
“This one is very special,” the 36-year-old Spaniard assured. “I broke my foot last year and I had to fight so hard this year. I went back to 120 in the world, but I was still going to practice with a smile on my face, trying to be a better player, to fight until the end of my career. I think I deserved a week like this.”
A busy week on tour with three ATP 250 events also saw Karen Khachanov find the winners’ circle. The 26th-ranked Russian held off first-time finalist Gabriel Diallo 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 at the Almaty Open. Khachanov led by a set and a break but ended up requiring two hours and 23 minutes to get past the fast-rising Canadian.
“(There were) a lot of emotions; now I’m relieved and super happy,” Khachanov commented. “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.”
nice one, TP