Tommy Paul got a crucial injection of points towards his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals when he bagged his 39th win of the 2023 season at the Japan Open, Tokyo 2023 season.
The American tennis player beat compatriot Mackenzie McDonald with a convincing result 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the ninth quarter-final of the 2023 season as well as the sixth quarter-final in the hard-court tournament.
The fifth seed impressed with his serve throughout the match which lasted 86 minutes, including winning 21 of his 22 first serve points. He also faced no break point opportunities and showed his athleticism by winning a series of energy-sapping rallies in which both players forced their opponents to run from corner to corner of the court.
“We know each other’s games really well,” added Tommy Paul. “I have known him since I was 11 years old. Knowing him, I know I have to be good with my feet because if you give him a little chance, he will take advantage of it.”
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Paul will continue his journey to win his first title in the 2023 season when he faces compatriot Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals of the Japan Open.
The 26 year old tennis player is currently in 12th position in the ATP Race To Turin standings, 515 points behind Holger Rune who is in eighth position. If he wins the Japan Open title, he would move up to ninth if his rivals lose early in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Shelton is still continuing his breakthrough season after he won 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 over Australian tennis player Jordan Thompson. The 21-year-old tennis player who qualified for the semifinals of the US Open this season, is now advancing to the fourth quarter-finals in the 2023 season.
One of Paul’s competitors in the ATP Race To Turin standings is the Norwegian tennis player, Casper Ruud, who is in tenth position and 220 points ahead of the American.
However, the gap will not get any bigger after American Marcos Giron beat second seed Ruud 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the Japan Open.
Thanks to the victory over Ruud, Giron now has his third win over a top 10 ranked player and booked a quarter-final match against Canadian tennis player, Felix Auger Aliassime.
