Shapovalov beats defending champion Paul to set up Ruud showcase in Dallas

Shapovalov now has the chance to claim his first tour title above ATP-250 level after surging to a 7-5 6-4 victory over the American in just over an hour and a half in the semi-final on Saturday.

The Canadian, who also ousted world number four Taylor Fritz earlier in the competition, successfully defended three break points in the match to get the win, including one in the opening game.

He served well - 64% on his first serve - while also hitting six aces to Paul's two throughout.

A three-game winning streak saw out the match, with Shapovalov breaking Paul's serve, though he needed two attempts at a match point to seal his place in the final two.

"It's [his serve] definitely been a big weapon for me. I was serving really well in Belgrade [in November]," Shapovalov said.

"I lost my rhythm a little bit after I had a stomach virus in Hong Kong. I'm really happy I was able to get it back, and I've been serving and playing exceptionally well this week.

"It's helped me get out of a lot of trouble this week."

Dazzling in DallasDenis Shapovalov is into the final @dalopentennis | #DALOpen pic.twitter.com/sim6XVvfnK

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 9, 2025

Shapovalov will be aiming for his third top-10 win this week when he faces Ruud in Sunday's showpiece after the Norweigan rallied past Jaume Munar, who had already upset home favourite Blake Shelton, earlier on Saturday.

Ruud was on the cusp of defeat but got over the line with a 6-2 2-6 7-6 (7-4) win in two and a half hours.

In the deciding set, the Spaniard had the chance to serve for the match at 5-4 after going a break up, but the world number five got back on level terms before clinching the win on his second match point in the tie-break.

"Second and third set, [Jaume] really stepped it up," said Ruud, who is into his first tour-level final since Geneva last year. "I was kind of in control in the first set, started off really well.

"He kind of fired up, I played a little bit of a poor game. I went for a little too much, the right play, but just made unforced errors.

"Some really close games in the third. Typical kind of break-break back-to-back from 4-4 and him serving for it at 5-4. I know what the feeling is like, you can get tight.