Surprise Australian Open quarter-finalist Tommy Paul might be greatest identified to native audiences – if he is identified in any respect – as an in depth ally of Nick Kyrgios.
They each have companions who establish as on-line influencers, with Paul’s girlfriend Paige Lorenze sharing loads of revealing photographs of her journey to Australia together with her 399,000 Instagram followers.
They share a ardour for basketball.
And like 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Kyrgios – who underwent knee surgical procedure on Monday – the 25-year-old American is now making his mark on the majors.
The impossible of Australian Open quarter-finals will happen at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday when world No.35 Paul takes on countryman Ben Shelton, the world No.89 taking part in solely his second grand slam event.
With Sebastian Korda additionally advancing, the United States had three males within the final eight of a grand slam for the primary time since 2005.
“I would say I know (Shelton) better as a person than as a player, just because I’ve spent a decent amount of time with him in the locker-room,” stated Paul.
“I know his dad (former professional Bryan Shelton) from when his dad was at the USTA when I was younger.
“But I really have not seen him play very a lot.
“This will probably be the first time that I’ll have to watch some film on my opponent in this whole tournament so far.”
Shelton lower his enamel on the US school circuit because the star of the University of Florida Gators workforce coached by his father that gained a first-ever nationwide championship in 2021.
He turned professional earlier than final yr’s US Open and can full his research on-line.
“It’s definitely been a surprise,” Shelton stated of his journey to the final eight at Melbourne Park, which features a third-round win over native hope Alexei Popyrin.
“I got on the plane with no expectations.
“I do know that it’s totally onerous to regulate to Australia from the United States simply with the jet lag, time change and every thing.
“It being my first time, never being out of the United States, I knew it would be a struggle.
“So I feel it possibly has helped me a bit bit, not having that expectation or the sensation that I’ve to carry out, however having the ability to simply go on the market, be myself and play free.”
The winner of the Paul v Shelton encounter will play both nine-time Open champ Novak Djokovic or fifth-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev within the semis.
