Jim Courier is encouraged by what Tommy Paul has produced at the Italian Open.
For the second successive season the 27-year-old has reached the semi-finals in Rome, but this year he was stopped by Jannik Sinner.
Despite an emphatic start against the Italian, Paul was unable to overcome Sinner who completed a 1-6, 6-0, 6-3 comeback to reach the final.
Despite his defeat, Jim Courier thinks Paul has a good chance of having a solid French Open campaign.
Jim Courier rates Tommy Paul’s French Open chances
Tommy Paul’s level of play has increased since the clay court season began.
The American reached the semi-finals at the Houston Open, and Paul made the last 16 in Madrid straight after.
Paul backed up those performances with another run to the Italian Open semi-finals, and he continues to be a threat on the clay courts.
As a result, Courier thinks the World number 12 can have a solid campaign at the French Open that would be the best of his career so far.
“I like Tommy’s chances to go deep at RG if he gets a good draw, that is going to be meaningful where he ends up in the brackets,” Courier told Tennis Channel Live.
“But this is a guy you are not going to want to see, unless you’re – well, even Jannik probably does not want to see him after today because think about this.
“Jannik has won 24 consecutive sets against top 10 players, Tommy is not in the top 10 but Tommy took a big set off him, 6-1. Tommy is not in the top 10 but that has to give him some confidence and give Jannik a bit of a pause.
“But other than Carlos and Jannik, Tommy looks good to me, he could make a semi-final run at Roland Garros no problem.”
Tommy Paul falls short of a big goal he is chasing on tour
Paul explained what he enjoys about playing at the Italian Open after he beat Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz to reach the last four.
“Every time I come here, I feel at home,” Paul said post-match. “The courts match up with my game really well. I feel comfortable out here and I’ve been playing some good tennis this week.”
But Paul fell short of capturing his first Masters 1000 title in Rome, and winning a title at this level is something he is keen to achieve during his career.
“I guess the biggest thing that I’m chasing is a tournament, a Masters 1000 title or Top 5 in the world,” Paul said.
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