Tommy Paul came out the victor in a truly triumphant match earlier today, overcoming the big-serving Hubert Hurkacz to reach the Rome Open semi-final.
It was a hotly-contested affair, with a whopping 13 breaks of serve between the two, and as they went into the final set it all seemed poised to conclude on a third-set tiebreak.
After all, given how the match had ebbed and flowed with no real predictability, it felt like the most appropriate way to end such a thriller.
However, the USA star would put it to bed before it got that deep, running out 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 winner and making history in the process.
Tommy Paul makes history at the Rome Open
Heading into this match, the 26-year-old who would eventually win was hardly in the most inspired form, having suffered a Round of 32 exit in Madrid, and been forced to retire out of Barcelona.
There had been little rhythm to his season, and yet he showcased no signs of rustiness as he raced into a first-set lead.
He was aggressive, outlined by his progressive position just around the baseline, and traded gruelling blows with the men’s Polish number one.
But he was not to be outgunned at any point, and outlined his incredible spirit to overcome a 15-minute final service game, coming back from 0-40 down, and winning the lot.
In doing so, he actually reached the semi-finals of a clay-court Masters 1000 event for the first time in his entire career, having only previously reached this stage twice previously, in Indian Wells this year, and the Canada Masters last year.
This comes just days after Taylor Fritz made history in this tournament as well.
Tommy Paul and Hubert Hurkacz put on a show
What an absolute spectacle for the neutral that match was.
It was pure cinema, as the two traded blow after blow yet never looked down and out.
As we crept into that third and final set, it was honestly impossible to predict who might win, and when Paul found himself an early break and 2-0 down, it all seemed lost.
But as he proved in that final game, where he came from behind to overcome adversity, he did so in dramatic fashion, pulling off some truly sensational shots in the process too.
It was a match that had everything, from net chord drama to blistering forehand winners.
Whoever had won this match would have earned their place in the semi-final, and in the end, it was just Paul who had that little bit more willpower.
He now awaits the winner of the Alejandro Tabilo and Alexander Zverev.
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