Tommy Paul extends Queen's Club streak to 7 wins, reaches quarterfinals
Synopsis
Tommy Paul is back at Queen's Club and picking up right where he left off. The 2024 champion has stretched his winning streak at the venue to seven, dismantling Van de Zandschulp in two sets — all this on his first return since an abdominal injury wiped out his 2025 campaign. A quarterfinal against fourth seed Davidovich Fokina now stands between Paul and a potential title defence.
Key Takeaways
Tommy Paul defeated Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6(5), 6-3 on 18 June to reach the Queen's Club quarterfinals.
Paul's winning streak at the HSBC Championships now stands at seven matches .
The 29-year-old American holds a 9-2 overall record at Queen's Club, per the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index .
Paul missed the 2025 edition with an abdominal injury; this is his first tournament back at the venue since his 2024 title win.
His quarterfinal opponent is fourth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina , who beat Corentin Moutet 6-4, 6-3 earlier on Thursday.
Tommy Paul of the United States extended his winning streak at the HSBC Championships to seven matches on 18 June, defeating Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6(5), 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals at Queen's Club in London. The eighth seed delivered a composed display on grass to book his place in the last eight of the ATP 500 event.
How the Match Unfolded
Paul dropped serve in the opening game and found himself navigating a nervy first set that featured four breaks of serve between the two players. He steadied himself at the critical moments, producing a controlled tie-break performance to take the opener 7-6(5) before asserting dominance in the second set, closing it out 6-3.
In his on-court interview, Paul reflected on his approach: 'I was just worried about my end of the court, really, and not worried about playing the other guy. I just tried to make my first serves. I think I could have done a better job of that today. I don't think either of us played too many points where they finished at the net. There were a lot of baseline points, but I think the ball striking was good today.'
Paul's Impressive Queen's Club Record
The 29-year-old American, who lifted the Queen's Club title in 2024 before missing the 2025 edition with an abdominal injury, now holds a 9-2 record at the west London venue, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. On his run to the 2024 title, Paul defeated five Top-50 opponents, underlining his affinity for the surface and the venue.
Quarterfinal Opponent: Davidovich Fokina
Paul will next face fourth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who advanced earlier on Thursday with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Corentin Moutet in one hour, 39 minutes. The win extended Davidovich Fokina's Lexus ATP head-to-head record against the Frenchman to 3-0, having also beaten Moutet in Hamburg last month.
Davidovich Fokina acknowledged the familiarity factor ahead of his quarterfinal: 'We know each other very well, so it's difficult to play against a friend. He's a very tricky player. You never know what the next shot is going to be… Today, the conditions were hotter, but I knew that I needed to be focused on myself.'
What's Next
Paul's quarterfinal clash with Davidovich Fokina sets up a compelling contest between two grass-court contenders. With his returning form and an unmatched record at this venue, Paul enters the last eight as a credible title threat as the HSBC Championships heads into its business end.
Point of View
Not just a lucky draw. What stands out is that he dropped serve in the opening game and still controlled the match: a sign of maturity that was less evident in earlier editions. The quarterfinal against Davidovich Fokina is the first real test of whether Paul can sustain that composure against a seeded opponent who is also in sharp form. A second Queen's title would make him the story of the grass-court swing.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Tommy Paul's second-round match at Queen's Club?
Tommy Paul defeated Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6(5), 6-3 in the second round of the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club on 18 June. The match featured four breaks of serve in the first set before Paul took control.
How many matches has Tommy Paul won at Queen's Club?
Tommy Paul has now won seven consecutive matches at Queen's Club, giving him a 9-2 overall record at the venue according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. He won the title there in 2024, defeating five Top-50 opponents along the way.
Why did Tommy Paul miss Queen's Club in 2025?
Tommy Paul withdrew from the 2025 edition of the HSBC Championships due to an abdominal injury. His return in 2026 marks his first appearance at the venue since lifting the title in 2024.
Who will Tommy Paul face in the quarterfinals at Queen's Club?
Tommy Paul will face fourth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the quarterfinals. Davidovich Fokina advanced by beating Corentin Moutet 6-4, 6-3 earlier on Thursday and leads the Frenchman 3-0 in their ATP head-to-head record.
What did Tommy Paul say after his second-round win?
Paul said he focused on his own game rather than his opponent: 'I was just worried about my end of the court, really, and not worried about playing the other guy.' He added that while his first-serve percentage could have been better, his ball-striking was strong overall.
