Tommy Paul saved three match points while serving at 3-5 in the third set before storming back to beat Roman Andres Burruchaga 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 in the final of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship on Sunday afternoon.
Paul dominated the opening set, but Burrchaga completely turned the tide to put himself on the brink of his first ATP title. The world No. 102 missed forehands on his first two championship points before Paul came up with a forehand volley winner on the third.
After holding for 4-5, Paul’s experience showed throughout the remainder of the contest. The 21st-ranked American broke easily to say in the match and from there he was off to the races. Paul’s second consecutive break and fifth of the match clinched victory after two hours and 40 minutes. He came up with it even though Burruchaga led 40-0 while serving at 5-6.
“Roman, it was an amazing week,” Paul told his opponent during the trophy ceremony. “Today’s level was seriously great, great level. You’re playing amazing tennis, and it is only going to get better.”
“Congratulations to Tommy — well deserved,” Burruchaga said. “I am really proud of myself for the week that I did. I am going to try again.”
Paul, who outlasted Frances Tiafoe in a third-set tiebreaker less than 24 hours earlier, is now 5-4 lifetime in ATP finals. Burruchaga was playing in his first final at the tour level. In fact, the Argentine had never even been to a semifinal prior to this week.