Seoul: Kwon Soon-woo was eliminated in the second round of Wimbledon on Wednesday. The South Korean player lost to Tommy Paul of the United States in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, at All England Lawn Tennis Club.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kwon, world No. 200, has now lost both matches against the 25th-ranked Paul in his career. Kwon played at his first Wimbledon since 2024 and won the opening-round match over Martin Landaluce of Spain on Monday, marking his first victory at the prestigious Grand Slam event since the first round in 2021. However, Kwon came up short against Paul, who had nine aces and 13 winners to take the opening set. The two went to a tiebreak in the second set before Paul prevailed. Then, in the deciding third set, Kwon again struggled against Paul's serves.
Paul had 19 aces overall compared to only six by Kwon. Kwon, who once ranked as high as 52nd, won all three qualifying matches to enter Wimbledon. Slowed by assorted injuries in recent years, Kwon is finishing up his mandatory military service with the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps. The 28-year-old is scheduled to be discharged later this month. Kwon has won three tournaments on the second-tier Challengers Tour this season.