Paul harnesses Hurkacz, returns to Rome SFs

Tommy Paul continued his impressive form at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Thursday, when he surged back into the last four in Rome.

The 27-year-old tamed a big-hitting Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(4), 6-3 to reach consecutive semi-finals at the Italian ATP Masters 1000 event. Paul edged Hurkacz in a topsy-turvy opening set that featured six breaks before expertly powering to a one-hour, 58-minute victory.

“Every time I come here, I feel at home,” said Paul, who improved to 9-4 in Rome, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. “The courts match up with my game really well. I feel comfortable out here and I’ve been playing some good tennis this week."

Running it back in the Italian capital 🔁🎭@TommyPaul1 becomes the first American man to reach back-to-back Rome semi-finals since Pete Sampras in 1993-94! @InteBNLdItalia | #IBI25 pic.twitter.com/SbwSqZq8by

— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 15, 2025

Paul had overcome Hurkacz in three sets at the same stage in Rome last year, and resurrected that form to move past the Pole once more, improving to 3-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. With his victory, Paul became the first American man to reach consecutive semi-finals in Rome since Pete Sampras in 1993-94.

“Both of us were returning so well, obviously we would have liked to be hitting our spots better on serve," Paul said of the first set. "We were keeping the pressure in our service games. I thought I regrouped pretty well in the breaker, and then into the second set.”

{{player.PlayerFirstName}} {{player.PlayerLastName}}

{{player.PlayerCountryCode}}

{{player.PlayerLastName}}

{{player.PartnerLastName}}

{{player.Record}}

Vs
wins

{{opponent.Record}}

Show H2H Detail

{{opponent.PlayerFirstName}} {{opponent.PlayerLastName}}

{{opponent.PlayerCountryCode}}

{{ opponent.PlayerLastName }}

{{opponent.PartnerLastName}}

• {{player.Ranking}} Rank {{opponent.Ranking}}
• {{player.Age ? player.Age : '-'}} Age {{opponent.Age ? opponent.Age : '-'}}

Paul is No. 12 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, and would seal his return to the Top 10 if he reaches the championship match. He awaits the winner of Thursday evening’s clash between World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Madrid champion Casper Ruud.