Tommy Paul received a lot less attention than his younger, less-experienced, opponent, Ben Shelton, heading into their all-American quarterfinal at the Australian Open.
Perhaps that was a product of the fascination with the out-of-nowhere Shelton: Just 20, and less than a year after winning an NCAA title for the University of Florida, he was traveling outside of the United States for the first time and participating in his second Grand Slam tournament.
As a bonus, Paul's mother was in the crowd for the biggest victory of his career. He said Mom booked a flight after he won his fourth-round match, then went straight from work to the airport to make the long journey from the U.S. "I know how he plays. ... He's been around for a few years. I watched him play quite a bit, especially during this tournament. He's been playing probably tennis of his life," Djokovic said. "Very explosive, very dynamic player."
And while Shelton was sort of adopted by the locals -- "The crowds have been pretty unbelievable. ... They kind of treated me like one of their own," he observed -- Paul was not drawing the same amount adoration. Based purely on ranking, Paul offered a much sterner test than anyone Shelton had faced in Australia: His prior opponents were ranked 67th, 96th, 113th and 154th.
They shared a light moment when Paul's coach, Brad Stine, told him to look for a serve down the "T" on the Ad side of the court. Shelton noticed the exchange and kicked his serve wide, leaving Paul out of position and with no chance at reaching the ace. Both players smiled.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canada’s Dabrowski eliminated from Australian Open after women’s doubles lossCanadian Gabriela Dabrowski, Mexican partner lose 7-5, 6-2 at Australian Open
Read more »
Two-time Australian Open champ Victoria Azarenka tops Jessica Pegula to advance to semi-finalsAfter the match, Victoria Azarenka opened up about how she managed to learn a new mindset by ‘trying to be neutral, not to go negative; accepting the anxiety that I have; accepting the fear that I have’
Read more »
Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski eliminated from Australian Open after women's doubles lossThe Ottawa native and her Mexican partner Giuliana Olmos lost 7\u002D5, 6\u002D2 to American Caroline Dolehide and Anna Kalinskaya of Russia
Read more »
Linette keeps getting better; into Australian Open semisLinette keeps getting better; into Australian Open semis
Read more »
Novak Djokovic downs Andrey Rublev as he edges closer to 10th Australian Open titleMeanwhile, unseeded Tommy Paul won 7-6(6) 6-3 5-7 6-4 in an All-American quarter-final clash against Ben Shelton to advance to the semi-finals of a major for the first time
Read more »
Indian court grants extradition for suspect in murder of Australian womanA court in New Delhi on Tuesday approved an extradition request for the prime suspect in the killing of a woman on an Australian beach.
Read more »