Canada's Denis Shapovalov falls in Stockholm Open final to American Tommy Paul

Richmond Hill, Ont., native unable to defend title captured in 2019

Image | Sweden Stockholm Open Tennis

Caption: Canada's Denis Shapovalov returns a shot to American Tommy Paul during the men's final match at the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament on Saturday. (Jonas Ekstromer/The Associated Press)

Tommy Paul won the first ATP Tour title of his career, beating Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to capture the Stockholm Open on Saturday.
The American player concluded the week of his life as a professional — during which he beat Andy Murray and compatriots Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe — by closing into the net on the back of a big first serve and hitting a winner on his third championship point.
Paul — wearing his cap back to front — only won two of his 12 break points against the defending champion, the big one coming at 4-4 in the third set when, at 0-40, he stretched to send a backhand down the line that Shapovalov of Canada couldn't return at the net.
WATCH | Shapovalov suffers defeat against Paul in Stockholm Open final:

Media Video | (not specified) : Paul denies Shapovalov 2nd straight Stockholm Open title

Caption: Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ontario was upset by American Tommy Paul 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the Stockholm Open final.

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"It took my best tennis to beat Denis," Paul said. "It's the most fun I've had playing a tennis tournament."
The No. 52-ranked Paul is assured of breaking into the world's top 50 after this week. He won the boys' singles title at the French Open in 2015.
"It was just a matter of time when he got a week like this," said Shapovalov, who was defending the title he won in 2019.
The 2020 event was cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.
WATCH | Shapovalov tops Auger-Aliassime to reach Stockholm Open final: