DALLAS/STARNBERG, February 9, 2025

Denis Shapovalov and Casper Ruud will compete in the singles final of the Dallas Open. The 25-year-old Canadian knocked off defending champion and No. 3 seed Tommy Paul from the United States 7-5, 6-3 on Saturday.

Shapovalov saved all three break points he faced and converted two of his own three break-point chances to advance in one hour and 34 minutes.

The final is calling @denis_shapo defeats defending champion Paul 7-5 6-3 & will face Ruud for the title!#DALOpen pic.twitter.com/zmF6axkRaI

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 9, 2025

“It’s definitely been a big weapon for me. I was serving really well in Belgrade [in November]. I lost my rhythm a little bit after I had a stomach virus in Hong Kong. I’m really happy I was able to get it back and I’ve been serving and playing exceptionally well this week. It’s helped me get out of a lot of trouble this week,” said Shapovalov.

Ruud fights past Munar

Earlier, Ruud outlasted Jaume Munar of Spain 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(4). The No. 2 seed of the ATP Tour 500 event in Texas won three points less than Munar but secured victory in two hours and 29 minutes.

“Second and third set, [Jaume] really stepped it up. I was kind of control in the first set, started off really well,” said Ruud, who has reached his first ATP Tour final since Geneva last year. “He kind of fired up, I played a little bit of a poor game. I went for a little too much, the right play but just made unforced errors. 

“Some really close games in the third. Typical kind of break-break back to back from 4-4 and him serving for it at 5-4. I know what the feeling is like, you can get tight. You kind of see the finish line a few yards in front of you and then you kind of stumble. I’ve done it myself and I was fortunate to be on the right side of it today.”

SATURDAY RESULTS

Singles – Semifinal

[2] C. Ruud (NOR) def. J. Munar (ESP) 6-2 2-6 7-6(4)

D. Shapovalov (CAN) def. [3] T. Paul (USA) 7-5 6-3

Doubles – Semifinal

[Q] C. Harrison (USA)/E. King (USA) def. [3] J. Murray (GBR)/J. Peers (AUS) 6-4 6-2

A. Behar (URU)/R. Galloway (USA) def. [WC] R. Cash (USA)/J. Tracy (USA) 7-5 3-6 10-5