PARIS — Tommy Paul, ranked No. 12 in the world, stormed past Australian Alexei Popyrin with a commanding 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory on Sunday, marking a historic moment as the first American man to reach the French Open quarterfinals in 22 years. Paul’s achievement echoed Andre Agassi’s 2003 run, with American tennis fans celebrating as five women and three men advanced to the Round of 16 on Saturday, matching a record that stood for four decades.
Paul’s impressive form extends beyond the clay courts of Roland Garros; he stands as the only active American player to have reached the last eight across all three major surfaces. This milestone follows his semifinal appearance at the 2023 Australian Open and quarterfinal run at Wimbledon in 2024, demonstrating his versatility and resilience.
Reflecting on his straight-sets triumph, Paul said, “I’m really happy to win in straight sets. The last few matches were quite grueling, with some going to five sets, so today’s shorter match was refreshing.” The 28-year-old had spent nearly 11 hours battling in the previous three rounds, making this relatively swift victory a welcome change.
The match began with Paul falling behind after losing the first game, but he quickly regained control by breaking Popyrin’s serve in the following game, effectively shifting momentum in his favor. Popyrin, who shares a similar achievement as a former junior champion at the French Open, came into this round without dropping a set, but faced a tough challenge against Paul’s relentless pace and precision.
Throughout the match, Popyrin’s frustration was visible as he frequently looked to his coaching box, struggling with Paul’s aggressive play and a shaky second serve that Paul exploited expertly. The American’s movement was fluid and calculated, allowing him to seize opportunities and dictate play.
At the start of the second set, Paul broke serve once again and seemed to hit his stride, delivering winners with ease and maintaining pressure on Popyrin. He secured another break, comfortably taking the set before racing to a 3-0 lead in the final set. In just under two hours, Paul wrapped up the match, eliminating the 25th seed with a mix of tactical shot-making and unwavering focus.
Looking ahead, Paul will either face the tournament’s second seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or fellow American rising star Ben Shelton. Both potential opponents represent formidable challenges, but Paul’s recent form and confidence could well carry him deeper into the tournament.
This milestone not only signals a significant breakthrough for Paul personally but also offers renewed hope and excitement for American men’s tennis on the global stage. With his skill on every surface and an evident hunger for success, Tommy Paul is poised to make waves at this year’s French Open and beyond.
