Taylor Fritz defeats Tommy Paul in straight sets to reach fifth final of season

Fritz breaks early and protects the advantage

Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul brought a familiar matchup to their Lyon semifinal. Frequent practice partners, they knew each other’s games well; Fritz said that familiarity made both players work hard for their points. Their tour-level head-to-head was tied before this meeting, with three wins apiece.

Fritz chose to serve, saved a break point and held with a diagonal forehand. A forehand return winner later created break point, and a sidespin backhand volley secured a 3–1 lead. He then lost a 40–0 advantage but saved two break points to consolidate. That hold extended his lead to 4–1, preserving the service break.

Serving for the opening set, Fritz created set point with a forehand into the corner and finished with a smash.

Paul earns chances in the second set

Paul earned three break points in Fritz’s first service game of the second set. Fritz saved the third with an ace and held for 1–1. Paul later overcame two double faults, using an overhead during his hold for 4–3.

Three set points saved before the decisive break

At 4–5, 0–40, Fritz saved three set points with two aces and a service winner, then held. A forehand passing shot for 0–30 preceded his break for 6–5. He closed the match with his fifteenth ace.

The straight-sets victory sent Fritz into his fifth tour-level final of the season. He finished with all nine break points against him saved, leaving Paul without a service break across the two sets. The result also moved Fritz ahead 4–3 in their tour-level head-to-head, giving him the edge after their seventh meeting at that level.