Tommy Paul came back from one set down to beat Hubert Hurkacz 4-6 6-2 6-4 on Stadium 2 reaching the round of 16 at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Paul beat Hurkacz for the first time in his career levelling to 1-1 in their head-to-head match series.
Paul earned his first break in the third game of the opening set to take a 2-1 lead. Hurkacz broke straight back in the fourth game to draw level to 2-2. Both players went on serve until the 10th game when Hurkacz broke for the second time to close out the first set 6-4.
Paul came back to earn three break points in the first game of the second set. Hurkacz fended them off, but Paul earned his first break as Hurkacz hit a forehand wide. Paul broke for the second time in the third game and held serve at love to race out to a 4-0 lead. Paul served out the second set at love after 56 minutes forcing the match to the decider.
Paul earned two break points with a backhand pass down the line in the third game of the decisive set. Hurkacz saved both chances to hold serve for 2-1. Paul saved two break points to level to 2-2 in the fourth game.
Paul earned a break point in the seventh game when Hurkacz hit a forehand down the line wide. Paul broke serve in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead, as Hurkacz made a double fault. Paul fended off three break points in a nine-minute eighth game. Paul held serve for 5-3, as Hurkacz sent a forehand beyond the baseline. Paul made a serve and volley, as he was serving for the match and served out the win at love.
“I stuck to the game plan more in the second set. The first set was very pretty tennis overall. I played a sloppy game at 4-5 and went to the bathroom and gave myself a couple of slaps and came out and brought some more energy”, said Paul.
