Tommy Paul reveals which two strategies he followed to defeat Zverev in Cincinnati
The American became the protagonist of the day by knocking out the tournament's favorite in the men's draw. How did he manage to defeat Zverev? He explained it himself afterwards.
Players usually don't develop any tactical ideas when asked with a microphone in front of them, but this time Tommy Paul was the exception. After defeating Alexander Zverev in the round of 16 at the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati, the American didn't hold back any details.
And we celebrate this, as it helps us learn and the reader understands better what happens on the court. The German might not find it as amusing, as in addition to losing, he has to endure more than one trying to follow in Tommy Paul's footsteps, although there is a significant difference between saying and doing. What is clear is that the American hit the target with his strategy and he analyzed it happily at the Tennis Chanel table.
Tommy Paul analyzes his victory against Zverev in Cincinnati
“I don't know, to be honest. It’s always difficult when you have to stop, get off the court, and come back. We stopped several times and sat for a while. I think that at 4-4 maybe that break helped me a little, and then came his double fault. Overall, I think I played a pretty solid match; I made some unforced errors that I didn't like, but otherwise, I played quite well.”
His forehand, fundamental in the equation
“We have been working a lot on attacking with the forehand, keeping my feet on the ground, which I think is what happened with those errors you mentioned. I got a little off the ground and my body went a bit crazy. We have been working on hitting the ball with a lot of intensity, changing directions, and trying to dominate the points more with the forehand.”
Tommy Paul reveals the formula to beat Zverev
“He obviously has an amazing serve. His first serve is undoubtedly one of the best on the circuit, and his percentage doesn’t help the returner. But I think I try to take advantage of his second serve, make him feel a bit uncomfortable, changing my position on the court and taking some balls early at the beginning of the match. Then I started to retreat and give him different looks, trying to make everything depend more on speed, extending the points, and making him run a lot. That was, more or less, my game plan.”
A different style than others
“Yes, definitely. I think tennis has evolved towards a much more striking game, with many people positioned at the baseline hitting very hard. There are fewer slices, fewer heavy balls, fewer trips to the net, and fewer serve and volleys. And the less you see it, the more uncomfortable I think it makes you feel. So I think it’s something that definitely helps me. I hope to do it more often, because I know you and my coach love it.”
Uncompromising and focused on the present
“No, never. I’m never satisfied. I hope my best days come during the US Open. That would be ideal. Now I face Cobolli, who has improved a lot in the last few months. He moves well, has a great serve, a great forehand, and is a very athletic player. I feel like I'm talking too highly of him right now, but I'm going to have to play a bit better than him. I think it will be an athletic and fun match.”
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