Alexander Zverev vs. Tommy Paul
When it comes to American opponents in Grand Slam second weeks, Zverev is probably happy just to see someone other than Taylor Fritz on the other side of the net. Fritz beat him at Wimbledon and the US Open last year; now Zverev will have a crack at Fritz’s friend Tommy Paul.
Zverev and Paul have only played twice, both times on hard courts. The bad news for the German is that he lost each of those matches. The good news is that they took place in 2020 and 2022. Since then, both of these guys have improved, Zverev especially. While Paul has been to the semis Down Under, and is now a Top 20 fixture, Zverev finished 2024 at a career-high No. 2.
Read More: American Tommy Paul reaches the Australian Open quarterfinals for the second time in three years
Each comes into this match in solid form, and seemingly fit. Since surviving a first-round five-set scare, and a potential shoulder injury, against Chris O’Connell, Paul has looked revived and re-energized, like a man playing with house money. Zverev, meanwhile, he been his usual reliable if unspectacular self, staying well under the radar and dropping just one set.
Zverev has the better serve. Paul is the better athlete. Zverev is rangier and steadier from the ground. Paul is an all-courter who uses his speed to attack and defend. He’ll need to be the guy who makes things happen, who takes chances, who creates openings. That means he’ll have to play a higher-risk game than Zverev, and at the top end of his normal level. But he has seemed up to the task so far. Winner: Paul
