Paris Masters R1: [12] Paul def. Rune, 7-5 6-4
posted by u/pizzainmyshoe · 2026-11-03 16:10 UTC
Tommy Paul will play Merida in round two
## Top comments
1. u/Prudent-Cake6882 · 2026-11-03 16:12 UTC
Holger had some moments of brilliance. Hoping he can get back to form and not have anymore injuries. Exciting player to watch when he’s healthy
2. u/KarmaticEvolution · 2026-11-03 16:19 UTC
Rune should play some easier tournaments to get some momentum and longer tournament runs under his belt.
3. u/Plastic-Software-174 · 2026-11-03 16:59 UTC
Yeah he should maybe play a couple challengers after Paris to get some rhythm back and spend some more time on court without as much pressure. He’s not looking bad for how long he’s been out tho.
4. u/eboe89 · 2026-11-03 16:13 UTC
Tough round 1 for Holger, Tommy is not quite at his career high ranking but is having arguably his best season (maybe 2024 a bit better) and approaching 50 wins for the first time in his career.
Not as fun of a match as I expected between these two though, I think the fast courts kinda take the life out everything in the rallies and it all comes down to who serves/returns better. Neither seemed very excited to be there idk 😭
5. u/Funtime4ver · 2026-11-03 16:16 UTC
Rune has shown some glimpses definitely he will be back to his best version
6. u/da_SENtinel · 2026-11-03 16:12 UTC
More one sided than the scoreline makes it look. Rune was never in this contest.
7. u/princess_piglet22 · 2026-11-03 16:13 UTC
he looked miserable to be there
8. u/Batman-5166 · 2026-11-03 16:37 UTC
yeah, but a first round match against an in-form paul wasn't exactly what he had in mind. he had a pretty decent run in basel as well.
9. u/MathematicianDry5294 · 2026-11-03 16:19 UTC
Great win by Tommy again, he is so consistent.
10. u/Belgarath_Hope · 2026-11-03 17:08 UTC
I like watching Paul play. He's one of the most intelligent players on the tour.
11. u/esKq · 2026-11-03 17:13 UTC
So many of Rune's backhand ended up in the net as always he played a bit too aggressive.
First time seeing him live, he is massive :O
Tommy Paul is so laid back when he plays, great tactical mind, serve is bomb with effortless technique.
12. u/Academic-Pain1100 · 2026-11-03 16:42 UTC
My boy Merida in trouble. He's gonna get SAV-ed hard by Tommy 💀
13. u/AssManKramerCosmo · 2026-11-03 16:47 UTC
TP!
14. u/lavielie86 · 2026-11-03 16:50 UTC
you can always count on Paul to go far in just any tournament.
15. u/Charanini95 · 2026-11-03 16:14 UTC
How many matches until we stop saying "he's back from injury so it's ok"?
Neutral balls that demanded 0 fisicality were ending up in the net over half the time.
Baseline level of a player ranked outside the top100. Serve and return also abysmal.
I think he's out of the elite and will maybe hover around 30-50.
16. u/soupyjay · 2026-11-03 16:31 UTC
There’s no substitution for match play- It’s just a matter of playing the sport a bit. He wasn’t able to for a long time, and everything has to be relearned to compensate for any weakness or imbalance. He may not recover. But a few tournaments in with only a few matches played, it’s not really fair to view him outside of that context for a solid 6+ months of legit match play.
I think he should do a few challengers and be heavy on the 250s to actually get some reps and test his body.
17. u/nimbus2105 · 2026-11-03 16:56 UTC
I would say more than 6 matches, which is what he’s currently played since returning. I guess 8 if you count Davis cup. Basel was promising — he reached the quarters and lost to the champion. TP is just a really rough R1
18. u/Charanini95 · 2026-11-03 17:03 UTC
What does TP have to do with super neutral balls being thrown into the net nonstop?
19. u/Hainault · 2026-11-03 16:19 UTC
This Subreddit isn't for actual tennis fans, it's for stan accounts so they'll never accept that he isn't actually that good.
20. u/First_Spinach_4987 · 2026-11-03 18:03 UTC
Yea, only a former top 10 player. Hes total shite