DALLAS/WASHINGTON, February 12, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)
Tommy Paul defeated Marcos Giron in an all-American final to win the ATP 250 Dallas Open Sunday afternoon.
The No. 2 seed Paul held off the 67th-ranked Giron, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3, in two hours and 32 minutes to garner his second ATP Tour singles title and first in 820 days since capturing his maiden crown in Stockholm back in 2021.
This is your moment, Tommy, have it!
Tommy Paul claims his second ATP tour title with a 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3 victory over Marcos Giron. #DALOpen | 🎥 @TennisTV
— Dallas Open (@DALOpenTennis) February 11, 2024
“That was a pretty unbelievable match,” the World No. 15 Paul said after his title victory at Southern Methodist University. “Best final I’ve ever played.”
The 26-year-old Paul came into Sunday’s final 6-0 in sets after defeating Taro Daniel of Japan, No. 8 seed Dominik Koepfer of Germany in the quarterfinals and No. 3 seed Ben Shelton of the United States in the semifinals. He was aiming to be the first player since Alexander Zverev at Hamburg last year to win an ATP Tour title without losing a set.
⭐ A moment for our 2024 champion, Tommy Paul#DALOpen | @TommyPaul1 pic.twitter.com/23wCPRCrqC
— Dallas Open (@DALOpenTennis) February 11, 2024
Meanwhile, Giron, 30, came into the final on the strength of back-to-back Top 20 triumphs over top seed Frances Tiafoe of the United States and fourth seed Adrian Mannarino of France. However, Paul handled the pressure moments the best. He saved four of six break points he faced from the former UCLA star and converted both of his break-point opportunities, including the second game of the final set that proved the difference. Paul outpointed Giron 107-98.
Despite the loss, Giron maintained a positive outlook during the trophy ceremony. He said to Paul: “It sucks losing but there’s nobody else I’d rather go down to than you. I gave it my all so no regrets. I’ll come back next year.”
Marcos, Dallas loves you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ncZnuz3nvv
— Dallas Open (@DALOpenTennis) February 12, 2024
Then, when it was his turn, Paul gave props to his fellow countryman, saying: “Marcos, I was watching you all week this week, you were playing unbelievable tennis.
“It was so fun to watch you play and it’s cool. I know your team and you very well. We played through the Challengers like you said the other day, so it’s really cool to be playing in the finals of a Tour event now and hopefully we can keep doing it, keep moving up for many more matches just like that. That was unbelievable.”
🏆 Title town Tommy #DALOpen pic.twitter.com/amKSOXFDN1
— Dallas Open (@DALOpenTennis) February 11, 2024
Purcell and Thompson win doubles title
Aussie duo Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson won their second tour-level title with an 84-minute 6-4, 2-6, 10-8 victory over William Blumberg of the United States and Rinky Hijikata of Australia.
Sealed with an ace! Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell are the 2024 Dallas Open doubles champions 💪.
They defeated William Blumberg and Rinky Hijikata 6-4, 2-6, 10-8. #DALOpen pic.twitter.com/5nMtwIjt1s
— Dallas Open (@DALOpenTennis) February 12, 2024
The fourth-seeded Purcell and Thompson improved to 20-5 on tour-level as a team after making their ATP Tour debut in 2021. They won their first tour-level title last year on clay in Houston.
En route to the Dallas crown, Purcell and Thompson reached the final without losing a set (6-0) and upset No. 1 seeds Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Neal Skupski of Great Britain in the semifinal round.
🤝 Well done, Max and Jordan. #DALOpen pic.twitter.com/xCdEP3hfkK
— Dallas Open (@DALOpenTennis) February 12, 2024
By the numbers
Tommy Paul will climb to No. 14 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings today, making him the new American No. 2 behind Taylor Fritz.
