Former champ Paul makes ho-hum Queen’s start

Tommy Paul managed 15 aces in a relatively pedestrian start on the summer grass, with the 2024 Queen’s club champion outlasting US compatriot Zachery Svajda 7-5, 6-3 on Monday.

With the Wimbledon start less than a fortnight away, the eighth seeded winner knows he will have to lift his game this week as the grass campaign heats up fast.

Paul won the title two years ago but missed last year’s edition through injury.

Missing here is defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who has not played a match since April and will not return until at least the upcoming hardcourt campaign after healing a wrist injury.

Spain’s Rafael Jodar, tipped as an up-and-comer, made a Queen’s withdrawal, officials confirmed.

With local west London crowds still hungover with excitement after the weekend WTA finals appearance of national No. 1 Emma Raducanu, it may take some doing for a relatively weak ATP field to spark huge interest .

The 500 series draw is headed by Alex de Minaur with Czech Jiri Lehecka second.

Paul, ranked 28th and winner of one title from three finals this season, ws able to advance over Svajda with a break in each set as he got used to the new surface.

“The first match on grass is always a little difficult,” Paul said after sending over a winner to clinch victory on his first match point.

“Zachery has been playing some great tennis, I’ve practised with him a few times but it’s always different playing someone for the first time.”

The former champion sparked some crowd enthusiasm as he praised the club as having “the best grass courts in the world.

“It just takes a week to get used to everything. There is always a little bit of slippage at the start of the (grass) season.

“These grass courts feel good under my feet.”

Paul will play his second-round match against Dutchman Botic Van De Zandschulp, who beat No. 223 Brit Harry Wendelken 6-4, 7-6 (5) in two hours.