Tommy Paul picks one area where Jannik Sinner is better than Carlos Alcaraz after losing to World No. 1 at US Open
Tommy Paul has run into Grand Slam champions Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in his last two Major outings, losing to the latter at the 2024 US Open. He had earlier come up short against the Spaniard at Wimbledon.
The American has developed a fair understanding of both players’ games given their encounters. On being asked to compare the top duo during his post-match press conference, the American gave Sinner a distinct edge in one particular area.
Heaping praise on Sinner for putting a lot of power into each ball, Paul said he is probably the best striker of the tennis ball at the moment. He conceded that Alcaraz may have a more all-court game, but favored Sinner when it comes to baseline power.
"I mean, it's just, he's unreal out of the corners. It's a quality ball every time the ball's on his racket and that's, I mean, that's kind of what separates him," the American said. "I don't know, comparing to Carlos Alcaraz... I feel like Alcaraz is, you know, he wants to come in more and has a more all-court style."
"But Jannik Sinner is probably the best ball striker on tour and he uses it very well," he added.
Paul also took note of the improvements that Sinner has made to his game since their last meeting in Canada last year, saying he has developed the champion quality of playing the big points better.
"I feel like the last time I played Jannik Sinner was kind of when he started to, or I guess he was already there, but he was, uh, had won his first Masters 1000 that week, he played me in the semis," Tommy Paul recalled.
"He plays a super fast-paced tennis game, and today he clutched up on serve on the big points. He does what all the best players in the world do, you know, he steps up."
How have Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Tommy Paul fared at the 2024 US Open?
With his 7-6(3), 7-6(5), 6-1 win over Tommy Paul, Jannik Sinner has equaled his best showing at the US Open. He had earlier made the quarterfinals in 2022 as well.
Paul was looking to improve on his best performance by getting past the fourth round. He, however, came up short despite starting the match off in fantastic fashion.
Carlos Alcaraz had earlier lost in the second round, falling to Botic van de Zandschulp in a surprise loss. It was his earliest exit at a Grand Slam since the 2021 Wimbledon Championships.