In a repeat of last year’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia quarterfinals, Tommy Paul will once again go up against Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday for a spot in the semis at the Foro Italico in Rome.
This match is not going to feature beautiful clay-court tennis. Hurkacz is at his best on grass, while the terre battue is his least successful surface. The courts in Rome have surprisingly suited the world No. 31’s game in recent seasons, but it must be pointed out that he has endured a miserable 2025 so far. Hurkacz’s only other decent result has come on the lighting-fast indoor hard courts of Rotterdam back in February (semifinals).
Paul has fared much better this year. The world No. 12 frequently makes his way to the business end to most tournaments he enters. He has not won a title since Stockholm last fall, but his consistency makes it rare for him to suffer an upset. Paul is not a traditional clay-courter, but a solid baseline game allows him to avoid early-round on pretty much any surface.
Paul holds a 2-1 career record over Hurkacz in their head-to-head series, and his most notable win in terms of this upcoming matchup was last year in Rome–a tight three-setter. The American played well enough earlier this fortnight to dispatch tough opponents in Tomas Machac and Alex de Minaur.
Paul have to manage the Hurkacz serve, but look for the favorite to fight his way through to the semis.
Cheryl pick: Paul in 3
Ricky pick: Paul in 3
WWW?
TP in 3….agree!
could be 2