AIX-EN-PROVENCE/STARNBERG, May 6, 2023
World No. 17 Tommy Paul and three-time major champion Andy Murray will compete in Sunday’s singles final of the Open Aix Provence Credit Agricole.
Paul, top seed of the €200,000 ATP Challenger Tour clay-court event in southern France, defeated Belgian David Goffin 6-4, 6-2 in the stage of the final four. The 25-year-old US-American sent down five aces and won 76 per cent of his first-service points to advance in one hour and 26 minutes.
Packed house in Provence 👨👩👧👦#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/ItlYuQ9jOH
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 6, 2023
“Goffin is an unreal player, he’s had an unreal career,” Paul said. “I think I returned really well and played the big points well. There were a couple times where I was down break point and I came up with a first serve. I was really happy with that.”
Murray masters Mayot
Later on Saturday afternoon, fifth-seeded Murray edged past French lucky loser Harold Mayot 7-5, 6-1. The 35-year-old Scot saved all four break points he faced and capitalized on three of his own eight break-point opportunities to prevail after one hour and 41 minutes.
Pure joy 💯#ATPChallenger | @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/hNYenPZDlX
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 6, 2023
“[It will be] a great challenge for me. Tommy has had a great year so far, playing the best tennis of his career,” Murray said of his upcoming task. “He’s played well this week also. He’s a brilliant athlete. My game I think is in a good place. I feel like I’ve played much better the last couple matches. Hope for another good performance tomorrow.”
Murray will aim to win his third ATP Challenger Tour career title and first since 2005. Paul could lift his fourth Challenger trophy, his first since 2019. The North Carolina native won the only previous meeting with Murray in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Stockholm Open, where Paul went on to clinch the title.
