Taylor Fritz defends Delray Beach title, defeats Paul

Top seed Taylor Fritz won the Delray Beach Open trophy by defeating No 3 seed Tommy Paul 6-2, 6-3 at the Delray Beach Stadium and Tennis Center, meaning he retains the title he won last year – albeit a day later than he might have hoped due to a rain delay on Sunday.

The two Americans – contemporaries and with a 2-2 head-to-head record before today – had never before played each other in a final.

Fritz, however, is now 6-0 in ATP Tour Finals since the start of 2022, and secured his seventh title overall. He is the second player to defend his crown at this tournament, and is the fifth player with multiple titles at the event.

Paul was looking to extend his career-best streak of seven match wins in a row as he sought his third tour title. His record against players ranked in the Top 10 is now 8-21 – with his last win coming in 2023 when he beat then-world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz in Toronto.

Ahead of his victory, Fritz, ranked No 10, beat Portuguese Nuno Borges (7-6 (5), 6-4), Australian Rinky Hijikata (6-3, 6-3) and Marcos Giron (7-6 (8), 6-2).

Paul, ranked No 14, defeated Alex Michelsen (5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (4)), Australian Jordan Thompson (6-4, 6-3) and second seed Frances Tiafoe (6-2, 6-2) earlier in the tournament.

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