WHAT HAPPENED: Tommy Paul has hit the big time.
One of a new crop of American standouts, Paul has powered his way into the upper ranks of men’s tennis this year, thanks in part to a semifinal showing at the Australian Open, and he continued his upward climb by marching into the US Open fourth round on Friday.
The No. 14 seed came out on top of an uneven match against No. 21-seeded Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 6-1, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, in a strong Arthur Ashe Stadium debut.
“This was a weird one,” Paul said of the two-hour-and-19 minute win in an on-court interview after the match. “I came out and was not missing a lot. After the second set, everything changed.“
This has been a breakout season for the 26-year-old Paul who is into the US Open last 16 for the first time in his career. He has made three ATP Tour finals, reached the Australian Open semifinals to begin the year and toppled world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz to reach the Toronto semifinals last month.
“Well, for one thing I am winning a few more matches now,” said Paul. “I feel that I am playing full-court tennis now.”
More of a counterpuncher in the early stages of his career, Paul has become more of an attacker under the tutelage of coach Brad Stine. The match numbers reflect his aggressive approach. He lost his serve just once, had 13 volley winners, 40 winners altogether and closed out the match with his 15th ace.
There was history between Paul and Davidovich Fokina as this was their third meeting of the year. Paul had won both, including a bruising five-set clash at the Australian Open.
“Hopefully we will have a full on war and the better man wins,” Paul said in advance of the match.
There was not much of a battle, however, through the opening two sets that took less than an under, before the Spaniard stiffened to make a mid-match turnaround and make a tussle of it in the last two sets.
“It’s always tricky after two sets like that to come out and close it out,” said Paul.
WHAT IT MEANS: It has been a strong opening week for the American men on the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center hard courts. For the first time since 2006-07 there are five from the home country in the third round.
Paul is the number three-ranked American man behind No. 9 Taylor Fritz and No. 10 Frances Tiafoe, all who were scheduled to play on Friday.
Also in action on Friday was unseeded Ben Shelton and wild card Michael Mmoh is scheduled on Saturday.
"There’s a lot of energy with the fans,” said Paul. “Everybody is excited about American tennis.”
One fan who is super excited about Paul’s chances is his new “super fan” Eddie, a young boy from Brooklyn. He was at courtside cheering Paul on for his five-set comeback second round win on Wednesday night. He was back at courtside again.
“I’m not playing a match without him in the stands," Paul said.
MATCH POINT: Paul could face Shelton in the next round, ensuring an American is in the quarterfinals. Can an American man win the title—snapping a drought since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003?
