Tommy Paul’s US Open run ended in the third round after a grueling five-set defeat to Alexander Bublik at Arthur Ashe Stadium, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1.
The 14th seed showed fight throughout the long match but couldn’t convert any of his six break chances. Bublik’s big serve and steady play carried him through a marathon battle that lasted 3 hours and 38 minutes. Paul briefly surged in the fourth set with a tiebreak, but it wasn’t enough to push past the Kazakh, who took the decisive fifth set and sealed the American’s exit.
This leaves Taylor Fritz as the lone American man still standing in the field. The fourth seed is set to face Tomáš Macháč in the fourth round on Sunday, continuing a chapter in which Americans have been struggling to translate early success into a deep run at the Open.
Paul’s exit marks his earliest at the US Open since 2022, and it underscores a long-standing drought for U.S. men at the tournament—22 years since an American won the title, with Andy Roddick claiming the last triumph in 2003.
Context and outlook:
– Fritz, who reached the US Open final last year, remains the last American hopeful in the men’s draw and will look to keep the run alive against Macháč.
– Paul’s defeat closes a chapter on back-to-back fourth-round appearances in the previous two years, highlighting the challenge American men have faced this season to reach the latter stages.
Summary of key facts:
– Paul lost in the third round to Alexander Bublik in a five-set match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
– Final score: 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1.
– Paul failed to break Bublik’s serve even once; he had six break opportunities overall.
– Bublik advances to the fourth round; Fritz remains as the sole American man left.
– Upcoming: Fritz vs. Tomáš Macháč in the fourth round.
– Historical note: 22-year American title drought at the US Open; Andy Roddick last won in 2003.
– Paul’s exit is his earliest US Open departure since 2022.
Additional comment:
– If American momentum is to turn into a breakthrough at this year’s Open, Fritz’s continued advancement will be crucial. Fans can compare Fritz’s resilience in tough moments with the struggles of Paul to gauge the depth of American talent at this tournament.
hopeful spin:
– While Paul’s exit closes one chapter, the remaining American contenders still have a path to a deep run, and Fritz’s track record at big events keeps the door open for a potential breakthrough at the Open.