Paul races to Queen's trophy

Tommy Paul captured his third ATP Tour title and first on grass Sunday at the cinch Championships, where he overcame Lorenzo Musetti 6-1, 7-6(8) in the final at Queen’s.

The fifth seed played with intensity and aggression throughout the 88-minute clash. After racing ahead, Paul recovered from failing to serve out the match at 5-4 in the second set, and he rallied from 1/4 in the tie-break, saving one set point at 6/7 against Musetti, who was competing in his third tour-level final.

“Hearing about the names [of previous winners] in the locker room, it is unbelievable. It was my goal to put my name next to them,” Paul said. “Thank you to my whole team.”

King of Queen’s 🏆@TommyPaul1 outlasts Musetti 6-1 7-6(8).@QueensTennis | #cinchChampionships pic.twitter.com/7BP6feczHD

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 23, 2024

With his 27th tour-level win of the season, Paul ensured he will surpass Taylor Fritz and become American No. 1 for the first time in his career on Monday. The 27-year-old is set to rise to No. 12 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Paul has been impressive all week on the lawns in west London, where he dropped just one set. The American clinched his first tour-level title in Stockholm in 2021 before he won this February in Dallas. His Queen’s Club crown is his first at ATP 500 level.

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In front of a packed crowd, Paul raced out of the blocks, surging into a 3-0 lead in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting. He did not let up in the first set, clinching it after 32 minutes. The American then recovered from failing to serve out the match at 5-4 in the second set, sealing victory on his second match point when Musetti misfired off the backhand.

Paul, who committed just six unforced errors, raised his arms in the air following his triumph and shared a smile with girlfriend Paige Lorenze and the rest of his team.

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