Here comes Tommy: Paul tops Pouille for biggest win of young career

WASHINGTON, D.C.—After spending most of the 2017 season on the International Tennis Federation Pro Circuit and ATP Challenger tours, Tommy Paul is making it count in the big leagues.

Last week in Atlanta, the world No. 225 qualified and won two rounds in the main draw to reach his first ATP quarterfinal. He carried that roll into Washington, where he took out Lucas Pouille, 7-6 (6), 6-3, on Wednesday to reach the round of 16.  It marked his first career Top 20 win. (Pouille is No. 17.)

“Last year, I was struggling a lot,” Paul said. “My coach, Diego [Moyano], and everyone on my team has just told me to keep working harder, and it’ll come, it'll come. I’ve just been trusting the process and working harder ever day.”

For years, the 20-year-old has been looped in with a group of rising young Americans (Frances Tiafoe, Reilly Opelka, Jared Donaldson and Taylor Fritz, to name a few). While their quick jump into stardom certainly has its perks, the new territory has come with a lot of pressure to back up all of the headlines.

In 2016, for the first time in his short career, Paul’s ranking moved backwards. He started with two title wins at the ITF Futures level, but couldn’t transition to the higher levels, going 3-12 in the second half of the season and even dipping out of the Top 400.

This summer, things are certainly looking up. He received a wild card into the ATP 500 this week and has already made the best of it, no matter what happens against Gilles Muller on Thursday evening.

“I like to try and earn things a lot," Paul said. "Wild cards are obviously great, but it's better sometimes to go through qualies and get the matches, get the confidence ... Hopefully, I can start not having to need wild cards and get in directly.”

Paul still has a way to go, but he’s guaranteed to rise back into the Top 200. If he keeps this level up, there’s little doubt that he’ll surpass his career-high ranking of No. 191 this hard-court season.

Getting a taste of what ATP tour-level success looks like isn't hurting him, either.

“I like it a lot more up here, obviously,” Paul said. “The tournaments are way nicer—lot bigger courts and a lot more fans. These tournaments I kind of enjoy more. The level [is] a lot higher and it's a lot more fun.”

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