NEW HAVEN, September 9, 2019
Tommy Paul is the champion of the Oracle Challenger Series New Haven. The No. 6 seed emerged victorious from the all-US-American final with Marcos Giron, winning 6-3, 6-3.
Paul, who didn’t drop a set all week, saved the only break point he faced and capitalized on three of his own four chances to prevail after one hour and three minutes.
Relive the point that earned @TommyPaul1 his first-career win over Marcos Giron and first appearance in the @ATP_Tour Top 💯.#RoadtoIndianWells pic.twitter.com/FgUfyx6Jkj
— Oracle Challenger Series (@OracleChallngrs) September 8, 2019
“He got me the last two times, so I couldn’t let that happen again,” Paul said, as quoted on the Oracle Challenger Series website. “I didn’t like the way I played then and I remember those matches well. I spent all of last night watching his matches and making sure I was fully prepared.”
By lifting his third ATP Challenger career trophy, his second of the season following his triumph in Sarasota, Paul earns $21,600 in prize money as well as 125 ATP Ranking points. The 22-year-old New Jersey native will break into the Top 100 for the first time on Monday.
“I’m just recovering and getting ready for my next tournament. I’m on the way to Cary, North Carolina tonight to start preparing for that event,” Paul said about his plans.
Blinkova wins first WTA title
Earlier in the day, Anna Blinkova took the Oracle Challenger Series New Haven women’s singles crown. The 20-year-old Russian downed US-American Usue Maitane Arconada 6-4, 6-2 in the final.
Blinkova, who clinched the doubles crown alongside partner Oksana Kalashnikova on Saturday, won 55 per cent of the total points played to seal victory in one hour and 16 minutes.
Relive Anna Blinkova’s magic moment claiming her first WTA 125k title at the Oracle Challenger Series New Haven ✨#RoadtoIndianWells pic.twitter.com/DAsTUUZs4b
— Oracle Challenger Series (@OracleChallngrs) September 8, 2019
“The whole tournament was so great; between the conditions, organization, courts to practice on and the city. I just really loved playing here,” Blinkova said after winning her maiden WTA 125k Series trophy.
To make her week even better, the Moscow native is just a few days away from celebrating her 21st birthday. “What can be better than this, I’ve given the best birthday gift to myself and I’m just so happy with how this all worked out.”
