Tommy Paul is the new United States No 1 after winning his first grass-court title at Queen’s Club on Sunday to head into Wimbledon leading the American charge.
The 27-year-old beat Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-1, 7-6 in 88 minutes in a commanding display to win his third tour-level title and said: ‘This is the perfect way to go to Wimbledon. Thank you to all of you guys for coming out and watching.’
Paul became the first American player to win on the prestigious London grass since Sam Querrey in 2010 and joined the likes of Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors and Andy Roddick to triumph here.
He added: ‘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. Thank you to my whole team.’
In two of the last three years, the cinch Championships victor has gone on to make the final of Wimbledon, with Matteo Berrettini and Carlos Alcaraz doing so in 2021 and 2023 respectively, the latter winning the grand slam.
Tommy Paul beat Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets to be crowned champion at Queen’s
Musetti had been convincingly beaten by Paul in the final of the prestigious London event
Paul celebrated becoming the American number one with his partner Paige Lorenze
World No 1 Jannik Sinner overcame Hubert Hurkacz to win Halle ahead of Wimbledon
While Italian Musetti failed to ever get going in this match in the taxing west London heat, compatriot and world No 1 Jannik Sinner is heading to SW19 in fine fettle after winning in Halle.
Sinner, 22, beat Polishman Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(8), 7-6(2) for the title. He was just the second man after Roger Federer to win there while holding the top spot in the men’s singles rankings.
