"I just went to the bathroom after the first set and slapped myself around" - Tommy Paul on his comeback against Hubert Hurkacz at Indian Wells
Tommy Paul recently provided an insight into his third-round clash at the 2023 Indian Wells.
After scoring a solid straight-sets win over Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round, Paul squared off against a sticky customer in Hubert Hurkacz. Despite losing the first set, the American managed to secure a stunning comeback win and continued his quest for a maiden Masters 1000 title.
The 25-year-old discussed the absorbing third-round tie and revealed what triggered his sensational comeback in a candid post-match interview with Tennis Channel.
"The first set I felt a little too flat, I don't think either of us played too well, I guess there were like three breaks of serve," Tommy Paul said. "The conditions were not what I expected, I mean it was super slow and even more on my court."
"The ball was actually flying off the strings and slowing down, it was weird, but ya, I just went to the bathroom after the first set and slapped myself around and said to myself, 'Come on, man, turn it up,' and then came out and played with a lot more energy in the second set. My game plan worked really well and just happy with how it went," he added.
The World No. 19 has had an encouraging start to the new 2023 season, chalking up 14 wins from 18 matches and a runner-up finish at the Mexico Open. He also reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open and the quarter-finals at the Delray Beach Open.
The American has only captured one ATP title on the main tour in his career at the 2021 Stockholm Open. However, with consistent performances in the last few months, he is inching towards getting his hands on some silverware soon.
Tommy Paul to square off against Felix Auger-Aliassime next at the Indian Wells 2023
A mouthwatering encounter is on the cards at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden as Tommy Paul and Felix-Auger Aliassime lock horns in the fourth round on Wednesday (March 15). The duo have never faced each other on the main tour and their head-to-head is locked at 0-0.
Both players will be eager to bring their A-game to the fore and keep their hopes alive at the Masters 1000 event. While Paul showed his resilience to get past the formidable Pole Hubert Hurkacz, Canadian Felix-Auger Aliassime made light work of Francisco Cerundolo in the third round. He defeated the Argentine in straight sets 7-5, 6-4.
It will be interesting to see how the two in-form players adjust their game and deal with each other's weaknesses. The winner of this engrossing fourth-round bout could square off against top seed Carlos Alcaraz or British tennis sensation Jack Draper.