The finalists for the ATP 500 Queen’s Club Championships
have been decided, with Lorenzo Musetti and Tommy Paul set to compete for the
title this Sunday, June 23. Musetti had to battle through three sets to
overcome Jordan Thompson 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, while Paul displayed superior form to
defeat Sebastian Korda 6-3, 7-6(2).
Musetti shows grit against Thompson
Lorenzo Musetti has had a fruitful second week in the
grass-swing, reaching the semifinals at the ATP 250 Stuttgart Open and now
making his third appearance in an ATP final, aiming for his first grass-court
title. Musetti has recorded 7 wins and only one loss on the surface this year.
The match against Thompson started well for Musetti, who
secured an early break to lead 3-0 within minutes. Both players faced several
break points throughout the set, but the single break was enough for Musetti to
take it 6-3.
However, the second set turned into a nightmare for Musetti
as he lost his serve twice in a row, allowing Thompson to take a 5-0 lead.
Although the Australian struggled to close out the set, he eventually did so
with a score of 6-3.
The third set remained tight until the 8th game when Musetti
managed to break Thompson’s serve. He then served out the match to win 6-3,
3-6, 6-3.
Paul overpowers Korda
Tommy Paul reached his sixth career final after overcoming
Sebastian Korda 6-3, 7-6(2). This is Paul’s second grass-court final, having
been the runner-up at the 2023 Eastbourne International.
The match tilted in Paul's favor from the start, as he broke
Korda’s serve in the opening game and quickly took a 3-0 lead. Although Korda
managed to break back in the 7th game, Paul secured the decisive break in the
10th game to take the set 6-4.
Tommy Paul at the Rome Open.
Korda struggled with his first serve, landing only 52%
compared to Paul’s 69%. The 5th seed tallied 8 winners and 3 unforced errors,
while Korda managed 6 winners and 8 unforced errors throughout the set.
Paul maintained his momentum in the second set, breaking
Korda's serve early to lead 3-0, thanks to his nearly impeccable serving.
Although he was up 5-2, Korda fought back to level the set, pushing it to a
tie-break. Paul’s experience shone through as he clinched the tie-break 7-1,
sealing the match 6-3, 7-6(1).
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.