Paul eases past Wawrinka in Stockholm SFs, boosts Turin hopes
Can a repeat title run in Stockholm turbocharge Tommy Paul’s bid to reach the Nitto ATP Finals?
The American on Saturday booked his spot in the BNP Paribas Nordic Open championship match with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph against Stan Wawrinka. Bidding to return to the final at an event where he lifted the trophy in 2021, Paul converted three of seven break points he earned en route to an 81-minute semi-final victory at the indoor hard-court ATP 250.
“Stan is an amazing player. He’s had an amazing week. It’s been really fun watching him and it was really fun playing against him today,” said Paul, who now leads Wawrinka 2-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. “It took a serious level from me to get past him, so I’m really happy with the battle we had today.”
Final bound 🔒@TommyPaul knocks out Wawrinka 6-3 6-2
@sthlm_open | #bnpparibasnordicopen pic.twitter.com/59rFb2OFFQ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 19, 2024
After reaching his fourth tour-level championship match of 2024, Paul jumped above Grigor Dimitrov into 10th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, although Dimitrov will move back ahead of the American if he defeats Tallon Griekspoor in the second Stockholm semi-final later on Saturday.
Paul is now 9-1 in Stockholm, where he lifted his maiden ATP Tour crown three years ago. The 27-year-old will play for his third tour-level trophy of the year on Sunday in Sweden, following his victories in Dallas and at the Queen’s Club.
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