WATCH: “Damn near coaching me,” Tommy Paul gifts a young fan a souvenir crediting him for his epic comeback win at the US Open

Tommy Paul credits young fan for the comeback win.

WATCH: “Damn near coaching me,” Tommy Paul gifts a young fan a souvenir crediting him for his epic comeback win at the US Open

Tommy Paul handing the towel to a young fan (Credits : USTA)

14th seed Tommy Paul won a 5-set thriller in round two on Wednesday night at the US Open 2023. Playing on the much-maligned Court-17, the American No.3 came from 2 sets down to defeat 60th-ranked Roman Safiullin 3-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.

Paul emerged victorious—thanks, in no small part, to one particular young fan. Each time Paul went to towel off in one corner of Court 17, a young boy ensured he had encouraging words for his hero. “He was encouraging me-I mean, damn near coaching me,” the 26-year-old American said, talking about the young fan. Paul made sure that he handed out a souvenir to his unexpected coach post-match.

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The 14th seed rallied from two sets down for the first time in 10 attempts at the Flushing Meadows. The Australian Open semi-finalist just edged his opponent on points, winning 130 compared to Safiullin’s 129. Safiullin won the only match previously contested between the pair, which took place earlier this year on the clay, in Madrid.

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With the second-round win, Paul has matched his previous best appearance at the US Open, which he recorded last year.

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Tommy Paul credits Gym-work for his comeback win

TOMMY PAUL
Tommy Paul (Credits : USTA)

“Today was a prime example of if I didn’t do all those days in the gym, like, I wouldn’t have been able to win that match or come back from two sets to love,” said Paul talking about his first 2 set comeback win. Paul was broken just once over the last three sets. In the fourth set, Paul landed 22 of 26 first serves and won 19 of those 22 points.

The American would hope to bank on a strong, partisan crowd support. “I told him, like, Dude, you have to come to the next one,” said Paul of his young fan. “Get in contact with me, message me on Instagram or whatever and we’ll get it hooked up.”

He’ll next face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, whom Paul has defeated twice this season, including in a five-setter in Melbourne. The 21st-seeded Spaniard maintained his good form with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 triumph against Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

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