Tommy Paul has moved one step closer to defending his Dallas Open title after securing a hard-fought victory over Reilly Opelka in the quarter-finals. The American star delivered a strong performance, winning 7-6(3), 6-2 to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament.
This was Paul’s third consecutive win against a fellow American in Dallas, following earlier battles against Jenson Brooksby and Ethan Quinn. His recent victory has further strengthened his impressive record on home soil, where he has won 17 of his last 22 matches. He has also remained unbeaten in his last seven matches in Dallas.
Playing in his first tournament since breaking into the Top 10, Paul has now reached his 16th ATP semi-final. He has been particularly dominant on indoor hard courts, winning all four of his previous semi-finals at this level, including title runs in Stockholm and Dallas.
Against Opelka, Paul showed great control with his powerful serve, not allowing a single break point. He won 83 percent of his first-serve points, making it difficult for his opponent to gain an advantage.
Opelka, despite hitting nine aces, struggled to compete in rallies, as Paul’s clever shot selection and slice play kept him in control throughout the match.
Paul expressed satisfaction with his serving performance, especially after facing tough moments at 0-30 in a few games. He credited his strong mentality and ability to handle pressure in key moments. Among the spectators watching the match was NBA star Klay Thompson, who was seated in the front row.
Paul’s next opponent will be Denis Shapovalov, who continued his impressive run by defeating sixth seed Tomas Machac in straight sets, 7-6(5), 6-0. The Canadian had earlier stunned top seed Taylor Fritz in a thrilling three-set encounter and has now climbed nine spots in the rankings to No. 45.
Shapovalov was pleased with his form, acknowledging the tough opponents he has faced in the tournament. He noted that his confidence has grown with each match, allowing him to play with more aggression and control.
Against Machac, he was tested in the first set but took charge in the tie-break before dominating the second set with a flawless display.
In the other semi-final, second seed Casper Ruud and Jaume Munar have secured their spots. Ruud advanced after Yoshihito Nishioka was forced to retire due to a shoulder injury while trailing 7-5, 3-2.
Munar, on the other hand, overcame eighth seed Matteo Arnaldi in a tight three-set battle, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
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