"I'm definitely going to try to make Jannik Sinner uncomfortable" - Tommy Paul sends out warning to Italian ahead of US Open 2024 4R encounter
Tommy Paul sent out a warning to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner ahead of their fourth-round encounter at the 2024 US Open. Paul overcame Canada's Gabriel Diallo 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1, 7-6(3) in the third round on Saturday, August 31.
Paul didn't produce free-flowing tennis against Diallo as he committed seven double faults and was broken five times in the four-setter. However, he managed to come through with nine break-point conversions and eight aces to set up an exciting matchup with Sinner.
This will be the duo's fourth on-court encounter as Sinner finds himself with a slim 2-1 head-to-head lead. The Italian drew first blood in 2022 by defeating Paul 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-3.
Paul avenged the loss the same year on grasscourt at Eastbourne International, where he bettered the current Australian Open champion 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. They then met in the semifinals of the 2023 Canadian Open where Jannik Sinner scored a 6-4, 6-4 win en route to the title.
In a Saturday press conference at the US Open, Tommy Paul recalled his previous battles with the first seed and said (via "Punto de Break"),
"We have had great games. I remember playing him on clay, I had some match points against him. Then in the last game, I think it was in Toronto, he played amazing. I didn't feel like I had done too badly," the 27-year-old said.
Paul then vowed to make Sinner's job difficult in the fourth round, saying:
"I'm definitely going to try to make him uncomfortable. From the baseline, I wouldn't say I'm a better ball hitter than him, so I have to impose my game on him and try to play my tennis more than his," Tommy Paul added.
Tommy Paul on drawing Jannik Sinner: "Different parts of the draw have opened, but mine has not"
Further in the same press conference at the 2024 US Open, Tommy Paul apparently regretted his fortunes with his side of the draw not seeing any upsets, whereas Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz's exits have opened up a couple of brackets.
"Different parts of the draw have opened, but mine has not. I'm in for a tough match, but I'm excited," the World No. 14 said.
The American, however, expressed delight at getting the chance to compete on Arthur Ashe Stadium's Center Court.
"I play the World No. 1, so I don't know if I'm thinking too much about seizing the moment, but it's certainly an opportunity to play at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the next round, so I'm looking forward to it."
Tommy Paul and Jannik Sinner will clash on Monday, September 2.