The 2023 Australian Open started badly for Spanish tennis. Loss due to injury Carlos Alcaraz and Paula Badosa they anticipated the next disaster. Another physical problem came, knocking him down Rafael Nadal. Defeats followed. Also to Roberto Bautista in the eighth, the last survivor.
No Spaniards in single rooms. The man from Castellón, 34 years old and world number 25, surrendered to the American Tommy Paul 25 years old and nº 35, by 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 and 7-5 in 3h.19′.
From the misery of Spanish tennis to the celebration of the Americans. He has a semifinalist secured as Paul will face the defending NCAA champion rookie Ben Sheltonwho defeated another rookie from his country, JJ Loboby 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (4) and 6-2.
The match started badly for Bautista, a quarterfinalist in 2019, a course in which he reached the semifinals at Wimbledon. And it ended worse as he was unable to avoid elimination against a treacherous opponent. It is not well recognized in the world, but its danger is known in the circuit.
For example, Tommy Paul last season lost Carlos Alcaraz (Montreal) and Rafael Nadal (Paris Bercy). He serves well, he has very complete tennis, with shots that hurt. His career is accused of irregularity, his successes and failures from one day to the next. He is a rival to top-10 Taylor Fritz in juniors. He won Roland Garros against Fritz, who got revenge in the US Open final.
Paul berated Bautista’s night, as did the British chair umpire in the opening game Alison Hughes. First game of the match, ‘warning’ the Levantine for exhausting the 25″ serve. “Just a joke, right?” Rober was angry, requesting the presence of the supervisor. He went to him, but to no avail.
An opening game with a referee’s notice, about three minutes into the match and the first break in favor of Tommy Paul. This reveals well how the meeting will proceed. An even battle, but at key moments the American had one more advantage.
A good chance will escape, through the draw to the semifinals, to the student of Dani Gimeno-Traver and Felix Mantilla. Paul becomes the ‘black beast’ of the Spanish: 11-0 since losing to Rafa Nadal at Acapulco 2023.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
