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

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, but Dimitrov moved back ahead of the American after edging 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.

Third seed Dimitrov continued his quest for a second Stockholm title, defeating Tallon Griekspoor 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 to reach his 21st tour-level final. The Bulgarian advanced to his fourth final in the Swedish capital as he claimed his 20th win at the tournament, a record among active players.

“I knew this was going to be a battle again,” Dimitrov said. “I kept on believing, I kept on playing well. Tried to adapt my game with whatever I have today. He was playing lights-out tennis, one of the best matches I have seen him play in a really long time.

“It really means a lot to me to be back in the final playing in front of [the crowd]. Win or lose, I still feel very grateful.”

The Bulgarian got off to a slow start as Griekspoor raced to a double-break lead. Dictating the opening set with his serve, the Dutchman won 80 per cent (16/20) of his first-serve points, according to Infosys ATP Stats as Dimitrov missed all four break-point opportunities.

The 2013 champion shook off the disappointment and broke Griekspoor immediately in the second set, charging to a 3-0 lead. He was broken back in the seventh game but switched gears to break Griekspoor again. Crafting stunning forehands all over the court, he clinched the second set 7-5.

The duo went toe-to-toe in the third set. But Dimitrov held his nerve and earned a decisive break in the final game of the set to secure his win. The 33-year-old finished with 40 winners, claiming 80 per cent (12/15) of points at the net in two hours and 25 minutes.

Griekspoor, who stunned Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals, was hoping to make his fourth tour-level final. Emerging victorious, Dimitrov took a 2-0 lead in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

The Bulgarian will play for his second title of the season on Sunday. Currently 10th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, the Bulgarian aims to make a late-season push, hoping to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals, where he clinched the title in 2017.

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