Paul Battles Past De Minaur Into Hamburg Final
Hope
Tommy Paul produced another comeback on Friday to defeat Alex de Minaur and book his place in the final of the Bitpanda Hamburg Open.
The American recovered from a set and 3-0 down to claim a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over the third seed in the ATP 500 clay-court tournament. Paul won nine consecutive games during the turnaround to secure his fourth career Top 10 victory on clay.
“I was in panic mode, down a set and 3-0,” Paul said after the match. “I thought he was playing amazing tennis and I was just trying to find ways to win points.”
The 27-year-old said he stayed patient during long rallies and gradually found rhythm on his forehand as the match progressed.
Paul finished the contest with 29 winners and delivered a strong serving display in the closing stages to complete the win in two hours and 17 minutes. The result also reduced his head-to-head deficit against De Minaur to 2-5.
The American continues an impressive week in Hamburg after previously saving seven match points in his second-round victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Paul is now through to his 10th ATP Tour-level final and his second on clay, having won the Houston title earlier this year.
He will face Ignacio Buse in Saturday’s final after the Peruvian qualifier defeated Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-1, 6-4 in the second semi-final.
Buse’s victory sends him into his first ATP Tour-level final and makes him the fourth Peruvian player in the Open Era to reach a final at this level.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a strong run in Hamburg, recording wins over Flavio Cobolli, Jakub Mensik and Ugo Humbert during the tournament.
According to the ATP Live Rankings, Buse is projected to climb 21 places to World No. 36 after reaching the final.
