Tommy Paul vs Stefano Travaglia US Open 2023 Preview: Head-to-Head, Prediction, Odds, Pick

Tommy Paul faces Roman Safiullin in the 2023 US Open for a chance to reach the third round. Safiullin leads their head-to-head 1-0.

In the upcoming match at the 2023 US Open, 14th seed Tommy Paul will be facing off against Russia's Roman Safiullin, with both players vying for a spot in the third round. This is a crucial moment for Paul, as he is currently having the best season of his career. He has already achieved impressive results, making it to the semi-finals in both Melbourne and Montreal, although he unfortunately lost to eventual champions Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, respectively. Now, Paul is aiming to match his previous best performance at the US Open, which was reaching the third round in 2022.

In his first-round match against Italian qualifier Stefano Travaglia, Paul showcased his skills and determination. He managed to hit an impressive 17 aces, ultimately winning the match with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1. This victory has surely boosted his confidence heading into the upcoming match against Safiullin.

Safiullin, on the other hand, has had a slightly different journey leading up to this point. Although he has spent most of 2023 on the fringes of the men's top 100 rankings, he had a notable performance during the grasscourt season. He reached the Round of 16 at the ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca and surprised many with a quarterfinal run at Wimbledon. While he did not win any matches in the lead-up to the US Open, he easily dispatched Marco Cecchinato in the first round, only dropping six games.

When it comes to their head-to-head record, Safiullin currently holds the advantage with a 1-0 lead over Paul. They previously faced each other in the second round of this year's Madrid Masters, where Safiullin, then ranked 112th in the world, defeated his higher-ranked opponent in straight sets.

One of the standout qualities of Paul's game is his entertaining style of play. He possesses a powerful forehand and is capable of hitting both flat and topspin shots. Additionally, he has excellent footspeed and never shies away from chasing down balls all over the court. However, he does have a tendency to make poor shot selections and commit uncharacteristic errors. Nevertheless, he often makes up for these mistakes with a high number of groundstroke winners.

In contrast, Safiullin may not exhibit the same level of aggression as Paul, but he is still a formidable player. He has a clean striking technique and can maneuver his opponents by generating good depth and width on his groundstrokes. His standout shot is his flat double-handed backhand, which he often directs up the line.

The key to success for both players will be their ability to execute well-placed groundstrokes and open up the court. However, Paul has been known to hit short balls at times, which can put him at a disadvantage in longer baseline exchanges. Additionally, Paul may face immense pressure as he competes in his home Slam, which could potentially impact his performance. In the past, he has struggled to maintain focus during challenging moments in matches. In light of this, Safiullin, who has proven to be a formidable opponent, may have an opportunity to cause an upset against the 14th seed.

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