By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, August 30, 2026
Picture credit score: Pete Staples/USTA
NEW YORK—Sliding into the nook, Tommy Paul spun round as he stabbed a shot again to increase the purpose.
Regaining his steadiness, a streaking Paul slid a flat cross down the road leaving qualifier Coleman Wong lunging at air.
Well timed turnarounds helped Paul stage a second-set revival sparking a 6-7(3), 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 US Open opening-round win on Armstrong Stadium Courtroom.
The Twentieth-seeded Paul powered into the second spherical for the fifth consecutive yr. Paul smacked 43 winners—11 greater than Wong—towards 29 unforced errors. Extra importantly, Paul confirmed your entire shot spectrum, roping some returns down the road, taking part in serve-and-volley factors once in a while and pulling off some slick volleys.
“I really feel like I began the match actually, very well,” Paul mentioned in his on-court interview. “Clearly had somewhat hiccup there on the finish of the primary set. I didn’t suppose I performed too effectively within the breaker.
“I knew I needed to up my depth within the second set and remainder of the match, actually. I needed to get the group concerned, I believe we had some good factors, and it was enjoyable to play with you guys.”
Former US Open boys’ finalist Paul, who resides in defending champion Carlos Alcaraz’s backside quarter, will play Dino Prizmic for a third-round spot.
Earlier, the 102nd-ranked Croatian Prizmic saved two match factors out-dueling Aleksandr Shevchenko 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 victory in three hours, 54 minutes. Shevchenko served for the second spherical at 5-4 within the last set and had two match factors, however Prizmic reeled off three video games in a row changing his first match level to achieve the second spherical.
Former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev drilled 10 aces and didn’t drop serve dismissing Frenchman Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium Courtroom.
The 2021 US Open champion Medvedev, who misplaced to Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi within the 2025 US Open opener, improved to 34-8 lifetime in Flushing Meadows.
“Final couple of weeks weren’t straightforward,” Medvedev informed Andrea Petkovic afterward. “Yoou understand how it’s typically you lose matches and typically you win.
“At this time I managed to provide excessive stage tennis. I completed the match robust and began robust I’m actually joyful the way in which I performed.”
A quick first step and a willingness to assault web—he was 28 of 35 within the forecourt at present—helped Paul create chaos for Wong. Paul broke on a forehand error and backed up the break at love for 4-2.
The large-serving Wong, who reached the US Open third spherical final yr, exploited the American’s sloppy stretch when Paul served for the set at 5-4. Paul pushed a volley deep then slapped a few forehands into web gifting the break at love.
Wong rushed out to a 4-1 tiebreaker lead then closed a one-set lead when Paul dedicated his third forehand error of the break.
Resetting, Paul lofted a lob that helped him break for a 2-0 second-set. Slamming a 131 mph ace, Paul prolonged to 3-0.
Although Wong was nonetheless bringing critical warmth on serve, Paul was studying it higher and intercepting the T serve. Paul pumped a pair of aces closing the second set.
Breaking once more to begin the third set, Paul wrapped back-to-back love holds for a 5-3 lead. When Wong double faulted deep, Paul snatched a two units to at least one lead after two hours, three minutes of play.
A cluster of foreboding clouds overhead prompted officers to lose the retractable roof over Ashe as Wong took therapy for an obvious decrease again challenge.
Beating the person from Hong Kong to the ball, Paul slid right into a crackling forehand cross to interrupt for 2-0.
Closing the primary spherical with a bang, Paul rocketed a 139 mph ace down the T to wrap the opening spherical up in two hours, 41 minutes.
New York is a particular place for Paul, who married spouse Paige Lorenze on Lengthy Island about 47 days in the past. Now, Paul is relishing celebrating American tennis in New York.
“There’s nothing prefer it,” Paul mentioned of taking part in the US Open. “New York sports activities normally is superb, however then the US Open is totally different.
“All of us Individuals, we completely love taking part in in entrance of you guys, it makes it 100 occasions extra enjoyable so thanks guys.”
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