Tommy Paul, the American tennis star, will face Max Purcell of Australia in the second round of the 2024 US Open on Thursday, August 29. Paul, seeded 15th, advanced to the second round with a four-set victory over Lorenzo Sonego, while Purcell defeated Aleksandar Vukic in straight sets.
Paul is the clear favorite in this matchup, but Purcell is a dangerous opponent. The Australian possesses a powerful serve and a serve-and-volley mindset, which can be difficult to handle. Paul, known for his athleticism and ability to return serves, will need to be sharp to counter Purcell’s aggressive style.
However, Paul has shown some signs of vulnerability in recent matches. He lost two straight matches before defeating Sonego, and he lost focus in the third set against the Italian. Purcell, on the other hand, has been playing with confidence and will be looking to make a statement against the higher-ranked Paul.
The pressure of playing in a home Grand Slam can also be a factor in this match. Paul will be expected to win, and any nerves or complacency could give Purcell an opening.
Overall, Paul is the more talented player and should be favored to advance to the third round. However, Purcell has the potential to cause an upset if Paul is not at his best.
