Paul sinks Ruud to stay alive in Indian Wells

Is this the week Tommy Paul wins his first ATP Masters 1000 title?

The American advanced to his second semi-final at this level on Thursday at the BNP Paribas Open where he defeated ninth seed Casper Ruud 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.

"I am really pumped with how I am playing," Paul said. "I like how I am playing on the pressure points, on the big points. I am excited for another match."

In a topsy-turvy clash, Paul played close to his best at the opening and closing stages of the match. The 26-year-old struck 35 winners and recovered from squandering a break advantage in the third set to improve to 2-4 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

"Casper came out in the second set and changed the momentum," Paul said. "His energy was way better and I was playing the match on his terms in the second. I think in the third game of the third set he had some chances and it was tough game to get out of and it kind of set the tone. He got the break back and I could have got down on myself but think I did a good job regrouping."

Rollercoaster match! 🎢@TommyPaul1 finds a way past Ruud to reach the semi-finals in #TennisParadise@BNPPARIBASOPEN pic.twitter.com/4kiKgG10ew

— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 14, 2024

The 17th seed saved two break points when serving out the match, sealing victory on his second match point. He let out a roar before embracing Ruud at the net.

With his two-hour, 11-minute win, Paul earned his ninth Top 10 win and first since he beat then-World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz en route to the semi-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 in Toronto last year.

Paul, currently No. 14 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, will try to reach his maiden Masters 1000 final when he faces Daniil Medvedev or Holger Rune. Paul clinched his second tour-level title earlier this season in Dallas.

Ruud was aiming to reach his eighth Masters 1000 semi-final and first since Rome last May. Earlier this week the Norwegian defeated #NextGenATP Frenchman Arthur Fils and veteran Gael Monfils.