Tommy Paul Stuns No. 1 Seed to Reach French Open Semifinals—Highlights & What’s Next

American No. 3 Tommy Paul saw his Miami Open 2026 campaign end in heart-stopping fashion on Thursday night, falling 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 to France’s Arthur Fils in what many on social media are calling the match of the tournament. Paul edged the opening-set tiebreak but could not convert three match points in the decider; Fils reeled off five straight points from 2-6 down to stun the Boca Raton resident after two hours 45 minutes. The defeat ends a productive U.S. hard-court swing for Paul, who captured Delray Beach after finally converting his 11th match point in a dramatic opener versus Corentin Moutet and reached the Houston final earlier this month. Thursday’s thriller keeps Paul at No. 18 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings but strengthens his position in the Race to Turin; he sits 12th heading into the European clay season. The 28-year-old will next headline the U.S. contingent in Monte-Carlo before targeting Madrid and Rome in pursuit of a maiden Masters 1000 crown. Key stats from Miami • Aces: Paul 13, Fils 11 • Winners: Paul 46, Fils 50 • Break points faced: Paul 4/4 saved What’s next Fans can expect Paul’s explosive forehand and improved backhand return to translate well to quicker clay courts, as evidenced by his Houston run. With question marks surrounding several top-10 players’ fitness, an in-form Paul could crack the top 10 again before Roland Garros. Search interest for “Tommy Paul Miami Open” and “Tommy Paul ranking” surged overnight, signaling strong fan appetite for updates on the American’s 2026 season trajectory.