In the second round of the French Open, American tennis players Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton took contrasting paths, setting the stage for their respective matches as they aim for a place in the tournament’s second week.
Tommy Paul faced a challenging battle against Marton Fucsovics, who led the match two sets to none and was close to serving for victory. Despite dealing with a potential groin injury, the 12th-seeded Paul staged a remarkable comeback to win the match 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 after three hours and 38 minutes. This match followed a four-set victory against Elmer Moller, where he had a rough start but dominated in the subsequent sets.
Next, Paul is set to challenge the 24th-ranked Karen Khachanov, against whom he has enjoyed past success, having won their previous two encounters. However, Khachanov is well-known for his strong performances at Grand Slam events, and he showcased this by overcoming Sebastian Ofner in five sets during his second-round match. Paul will need to manage his physical condition if he hopes to secure another win.
Meanwhile, Ben Shelton is preparing for his match against Matteo Gigante, marking their first tour meeting. Shelton advanced through the first round after a five-set match against Lorenzo Sonego, but received a second-round boost when Hugo Gaston withdrew. This match promises to be challenging for Shelton, as Gigante has been impressive thus far, notably defeating former French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas. Given that both players are left-handed, Shelton may face added difficulty, as he has struggled against fellow lefties in the past.
The upcoming matches present significant opportunities for both American players. Fans can look forward to seeing if Paul’s resilience pays off against a formidable opponent while Shelton aims to continue his surprise run at the French Open.