Tommy Paul excels in victory over Musetti to win the title at Queen’s

Tommy Paul beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-1, 7-6 (8) at Queen’s Club in London to win the cinch Championships.

It is the American’s first grass-court title and the third of his career, having also won in Dallas earlier this year and in Stockholm.

He will become the new men’s US No 1 when the rankings are updated tomorrow.

For Musetti, his wait for a first title on grass goes on after a thoroughly impressive week ultimately ends in defeat.

Paul cruised to the opening set courtesy of two breaks without reply, before the American nudged a break ahead in the second.

But, serving for the set at 5-4, Paul tightened up and was broken by his opponent, with Musetti forcing a tiebreak.

Despite saving one championship point, the Italian could not drag the big-serving Paul into a decider, eventually going down 10-8 in the tiebreak as Paul sealed the biggest win of his career.

Paul, ranked No 13, defeated Argentinian Sebastian Baez (6-4, 6-4), Chilean Alejandro Tabilo (6-3, 6-4), Jack Draper (6-3, 5-7, 6-4) and Sebastian Korda (6-4, 7-6 (2)) earlier in the tournament.

In the previous rounds of the Queen’s tournament, Musetti, ranked No 30, beat Australian Alex De Minaur, the second seed (1-6, 6-4, 6-2), American Brandon Nakashima (6-4, 4-6, 6-4), wildcard Billy Harris (6-3, 7-5) and Australian Jordan Thompson (6-3, 3-6, 6-3).