BIG UPSET! Rafael Nadal beaten by Tommy Paul at Paris Masters

Source: Twitter

Rafael Nadal was defeated by Tommy Paul on Wednesday at the Rolex Paris Masters, giving him his biggest career victory. The Spaniard`s title run and Carlos Alcaraz`s exit in the third round would have allowed Rafael Nadal to surpass his compatriot at the top of the rankings, but the American`s 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-1 triumph prevented that. Instead, the American denied the World No. 2 a potential return to the top of the ATP Rankings. "It`s probably my best win. I was obviously pumped for the matchup because it`s always interesting when you play one of the Big Three. I`ve only played him the second time, but the first time I was so nervous. It was weird, this time I wasn`t really nervous. I was pretty relaxed going onto the court and the day before. I think that played a role. I came out playing pretty well. He got the first set, but I feel like I played pretty well from the jump," Paul said as quoted by ATP.

After a sluggish start to the Paris evening session, Paul was down a set and a break before breaking Nadal at love to even the match at 2-2. From that point on, the American took control and used his aggressive baseline game to generate three more break chances before winning the set in the tie-break. Paul took an early lead in the decider thanks to a wayward service game from Nadal, and the American pushed home his advantage after surviving a thrilling game to hold for 3-1. After climbing out of a 0/40 hole on the return, Nadal came within millimetres of tying the set, but a potential winner landed just wide and Nadal`s challenge was unsuccessful. The critical hold was made possible by a successful Paul challenge at deuce that erased a Nadal winner on the same sideline.In the following game, Paul increased his lead by scoring a winner and showcasing his quickness to chase down a drop shot and break for the fourth time.

See you in Turin, @RafaelNadal _#RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/7IApyw93IT

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 2, 2022

The game was over after two hours, and 32 minutes, following a fifth break.In his first ATP Tour match since the US Open and his first as a father, Nadal displayed glimpses of brilliance but was unable to maintain it, especially down the stretch when he appeared out of sorts. When he hunted down a lob in set two, he made a highlight-reel play by choosing a spinning forehand over a tweener and hooking it past a dumbfounded Paul for a passing-shot winner.After the loss, Nadal may focus on the Nitto ATP Finals, which will happen from November 13-20.

(ANI)