Damien Kayat previews Tommy Paul vs John Isner and Mackenzie McDonald vs Alex Michelson in selected Quarterfinals of the Hall of Fame Open, on the 21st of July 2023.
2023 ATP Tour
Hall of Fame Open
International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport, Rhode Island (Outdoor Grass)
Selected Quarterfinals — 21st July
Tommy Paul 46/100 | John Isner 6/4
This should be a fascinating clash between two generations of American tennis talent. Tommy Paul has been one of the steadiest risers in men’s tennis over the last 12 months.
This was obviously aided tremendously by his herculean run to the semi-final of this year’s Aussie Open. He then reached the biggest final of his career at the ATP 500 Mexican Open (he would lose to compatriot Blake Shelton). He then went through a slightly stagnant patch leading up to the grass-court section of the year.
But he showcased his formidable grass-court skills with a run to the Eastbourne final (where he really should have beaten clay-court specialist Cerundolo). He looked dangerous at Wimbledon before a crushing five-set defeat to the Lehecka in the 3rd round. Paul isn’t your stereotypical American player.
He- like Korda- has plenty of variety and doesn’t rely on a big serve and huge forehand. He loves coming to the net and volleys expertly. He just took down reigning NCAA champ Ethan Quinn in straight sets and he will be confident of taking down Newport maestro John Isner.
John Isner falls more into the bracket of your typical American player. Isner has long possessed arguably the most devastating serve in the game.
This is reflected in the fact that he recently became the first man in history to win 500 tiebreaks on the ATP Tour. Isner’s combination of a big serve and punishing forehand saw him reach six Masters 1000 finals and the 2018 Wimbledon semi-final.
But the 38-year-old family man is fast approaching the end of his career and is currently playing a very sparse schedule. That’s not to say he still isn’t dangerous in these slightly less extravagant events. He reached the final in Dallas earlier this year and he will obviously feel very comfortable here.
The four-time Newport champion is almost a godlike figure here and you can expect the usual procession of aces to rain down. He struggled past Bolt in his opening match but easily saw off 8th seed Moutet last time out. Form almost goes out the window for Isner when it comes to this event.
Verdict: Paul in three
Isner leads the head-to-head 2-0. However, they last met all the way back at the 2020 Acapulco event: this is a different Tommy Paul that Isner will be facing. This will obviously be a tight match due to Isner’s cannon of a serve. But I also expect Paul to hold his own delivery quite easily.
I think Paul’s supreme athleticism and awkward style of play could cause more opportunities as the match goes on. I expect the top seed to beat the Newport king in three.
Mackenzie McDonald 8/15 | Alex Michelson 27/20
4th seed Mackenzie McDonald has steadily moved up the rankings over the course of the last few years, breaking into the top 50 for the first time in his career last season.
Currently ranked 54th in the world, McDonald has really enjoyed something of a rollercoaster campaign. He reached the semi-finals of the Delray Beach event (highlighting his preference for quicker surfaces). But he then went on an eight-match losing starting at the Miami Open (Challengers included).
But the switch to grass certainly allowed the American to shine that little bit brighter. He beat Borna Coric en route to a quarterfinal run at the Rosmalen event. He then upset Taylor Fritz en route to a semi-final run in Eastbourne.
He pushed an in-form Bublik to four sets in their 1st round tie at Wimbledon and he just saw off a stubborn Tu in straight sets. McDonald loves quicker surfaces where he is able to flatten out his groundstrokes and be decisive at the net.
This is turning out to be a monumental little period in the early career of 18-year-old Amercian Alex Michelson. Committed to play college tennis at the University of Georgia, Michelson has nonetheless made huge strides in the professional arena over the last week.
He won his maiden Challenger event in Chicago, propelling him from 250 to 190 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. And he has now won his first two tour-level matches, taking down big-serving defending champ Cressey before an even more convincing win over Duckworth. Michelson has served well this week and looked very busy at the baseline.
He actually got through to the main draw of Mallorca as a lucky loser. There he lost narrowly to Wimbledon sensation Eubanks in three sets. It appears as if grass just feels natural for the lanky American prospect.
Verdict: McDonald to win in straight sets
This will unsurprisingly be the first career meeting between these two. I think that McDonald is going to end the glorious Michelson run. It’s always hard for young players to maintain momentum (especially after two gruelling three-set matches). McDonald has taken down some big scalps on grass this year and he could make a concerted run at the title.
