Tommy Paul improved his Nitto ATP Finals chances with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over fellow American Mackenzie McDonald in round two of the Japan Open on Wednesday. Paul did not face a single break point and converted three of his nine chances to secure a quarterfinal spot after one hour and 15 minutes.
“We know each others games really well,” the world No. 12 said of McDonald. “I have known him since I was 11 years old. Knowing him, I know I have to keep my foot on the gas; if you give him a little bit he takes a lot.”
Next up for Paul is another compatriot and familiar foe in Ben Shelton, who defeated Jordan Thompson 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3. Paul and Shelton just faced each other in the U.S. Open fourth round, where Shelton prevailed in four sets.
Paul is currently 12th in the race to Turin and will climb to No. 10 if he takes the title in Tokyo. No. 10 Casper Ruud and No. 11 Hubert Hurkacz both exited on Wednesday. Ruud lost to Marcos Giron in straight sets and Hurkacz, the recent Shanghai championship, got upset by Zhizhen Zhang in a third-set tiebreaker.
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nice one, TP
RD, you called Zhang!! KJ
Who you got