Tommy Paul had some kind words for Tomas Machac after he lost to the Czech player at the Shanghai Masters.
The American saved five match points to defeat Alejandro Tabilo in the third round and though he saved one against Machac, he could not stop the 30th seed’s momentum.
The 27-year-old’s form has dipped since the Wimbledon Championships as he has not progressed beyond the fourth round at any event after making the last eight at the All-England Club this summer.
Now his quest for the Shanghai Masters title has come to an end, but he remained gracious in defeat.
What did Tommy Paul say to Tomas Mahac at the Shanghai Masters?
Tommy Paul was in command of his match with Machac when he took the first set, before the 23-year-old wrestled control of proceedings by snatching the second set.
He carried this momentum right through to the end of the match, as he broke Paul’s serve and struck some blistering winners on the way to winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
At the net, Paul shook hands with Machac and told his opponent: “Good luck man. Win this tournament,” to which Machac replied with a big smile: “I’ll do my best.”
This is the second time in as many weeks that Machac has beaten Paul, after he beat the Queen’s champion at the Japan Open, also coming from a set down.
Tomas Machac will play Carlos Alcaraz in Shanghai Masters quarter-finals
Machac blasted 38 winners past Paul to book his spot in the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals.
He will need to produce more of the explosive tennis he showed against Paul when he takes on Carlos Alcaraz.
The Spaniard is now on a 12-match winning streak after beating Gael Monfils to reach the last eight in Shanghai.
Alcaraz and Machac played one another for the first time in the Davis Cup group stages, though Machac retired with the match locked at a set apiece.
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