Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

'He beat the brakes off me last year, so this one was good,' Tommy Paul delighted after getting past Daniil Medvedev in Rome Masters Round of 16

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Nikhil Sonmali | Last updated 5/15/24

American star Tommy Paul has been one of the most underrated players on Tour this season. With 18 wins and 7 losses, the 26-year-old boast of one title this year. He earned his biggest win of the season at the Italian Open in Rome, beating World No.4 Daniil Medvedev to reach the quarterfinals of the top-tier clay tournament.

Medvedev was hoping to defend his Rome title after missing out on the Australian Open and Indian Wells Masters. But his 22 unforced errors caused him the victory. The Russian looked far from his best after playing for two hours and 50 minutes yesterday night beating Serbian Hamad Medjedovic. As a result, the Russian succumbed to a 6-1, 6-4 loss against Paul in one hour and 13 minutes.

Paul, currently World No.16, produced an all-round masterclass performance, holding his ground in the baseline rallies to strike 19 winners. After the first set, Medvedev was aiming to respond quickly, winning the first two games but the American regrouped to win the next five game points, earning his first Top 20 clay win.

After the win, Tommy Paul was excited to have gotten one win over Medvedev after three consecutive losses.

He beat the brakes off me last year and got me at Indian Wells. So this one was good. Tommy Paul said postgame

Tommy Paul after beating Daniil Medvedev in Rome:

“He beat the brakes off me last year and got me at Indian Wells. So this one was good.” pic.twitter.com/QngRGqfLRT
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 14, 2024

The American will now face Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals. Hurkacz earlier won Argentine Sebastian Baez to reach the last eight in Rome. With all the Top 5 players either skipping or exiting the tournament, lower-ranked players will now be hoping to win their first Clay Masters 1000 title.

Daniil Medvedev’s woes continue, as he fails to defend Rome title

Daniil Medvedev was the favorite to win the Rome Masters following Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal‘s early exit. The Russian was without a title this season heading to Rome as last year’s champion. He had earlier retired from the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open after sustaining an injury.

Medvedev looked sharp when he played British Jack Draper in the second round in Rome. But was below par with his professional performance against Hamad Medjedovic. However, he won the match losing one set. He has yet to get past the quarterfinals of any clay tournament this season.

The Russian lost to Jannik Sinner in Melbourne early this year to miss out on winning his second major title. Two months later, he was on the brink of claiming the Indian Wells but lost the title to Carlos Alcaraz.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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