Tommy’s Trophy! Paul defeats Giron to Take 2024 Dallas Open Finals!

Feb 25, 2024

A big goal for Team Tommy Paul entering the 2024 season was to win more titles. The American accomplished just that on Sunday.

Paul defeated countryman Marcos Giron 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3 to lift the Dallas Open trophy. It is the 26-year-old’s second ATP Tour title and first since 2021 in Stockholm.

“That was a pretty unbelievable match,” Paul said. “Best final I’ve ever played.”

The first all-American tour-level final since Tokyo two years ago was a back-and-forth battle on the campus of Southern Methodist University. But Paul secured an immediate break in the deciding set and never relinquished his advantage.

When Giron missed a final return in the deuce court, Paul turned towards coach Brad Stine and girlfriend Paige Lorenze, held his arms out in celebration, allowed a smile to take over his face and unleashed one big fist pump. He clinched the championship after two hours and 33 minutes.

“Marcos, I was watching you all week this week, you were playing unbelievable tennis,” Paul said. “It was so fun to watch you play and it’s cool. I know your team and you very well. We played through the Challengers like you said the other day, so it’s really cool to be playing in the finals of a Tour event now and hopefully we can keep doing it, keep moving up for many more matches just like that. That was unbelievable.”

 

Giron entered the final with plenty of momentum after earning back-to-back Top 20 wins against top seed Frances Tiafoe and fourth seed Adrian Mannarino. When the former UCLA college star clawed through the second set, it seemed he might use the momentum to secure his first ATP Tour title.

But Paul was slightly better under pressure, and that made all the difference. According to Infosys ATP Stats, the second seed saved four of the six break points he faced and converted his two opportunities.

“It sucks losing but there’s nobody else I’d rather go down to than you,” Giron said. “I gave it my all so no regrets. I’ll come back next year.”

Did You Know?
Paul on Monday will climb to No. 14 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, making him the No. 2 American behind Taylor Fritz.