T. PAUL/J. Hurkacz
7-6, 6-3
Q. Did the service today play a role of having six breaks in the first set?
TOMMY PAUL: What's the question?
Q. What is your opinion about having three breaks from your side and three on the opponent's?
TOMMY PAUL: I mean, it's not a good thing. I mean, obviously I would have liked to hold serve more.
But I think both of us obviously returned pretty well today. Made it tough for the other guy to hold. It's not a normal thing. It was what it was. Had to make the best of it.
Q. How do you compare Italian pizza and New York or Chicago style pizza?
TOMMY PAUL: You're trying to get me in trouble (smiling).
I guess I just grew up with the New York style pizza. I prefer it. Hopefully the Italians will take it easy on me for saying that.
Q. Tell us about this upcoming match, either Casper or Jannik. It's going to be an incredible test either way.
TOMMY PAUL: Yeah, I mean, obviously Casper is coming off the biggest title of his career. He's playing amazing tennis. Obviously super comfortable on the surface. A great player overall. If he wins, it will be a challenge.
Either way is a challenge. Sinner is obviously the No. 1 player in the world, best player in the world. He's excited to be playing here in Rome, I'm sure. I've been watching him play this week. It's been fun to watch. Doesn't feel like he's rusty very much at all.
I'm excited either way. I mean, anytime you get to play the best players, you're excited, you know?
Q. Do you get the feeling that Jannik every match is getting a lot better?
TOMMY PAUL: I'm not sure. I think even in the first match he seemed pretty good. Yeah, I mean, he's a great player. He's going to play good tennis at the big times.
Q. When Jannik hits the ball, the sound is different from other people. Do you get that feeling? He strings his racquets really tight, has long arms, smacks the ball. Is it a different sound from other players?
TOMMY PAUL: Probably. I mean, like you said, he hits the ball so big all the time. Feel like he can generate so much power from nothing. That's one of the best parts of his game. Probably the cleanest ball-striker on tour. Obviously a great competitor with that.
Yeah, I mean, he's No. 1 in the world for a reason, you know?
Q. You're trying to get one step further than last year. How much motivation is there coming back to Rome? I think you were in the semis last year, as well.
TOMMY PAUL: Yeah. I mean, it's been a great week for me on court so far. I feel like I've been getting a little bit better with every match. Obviously, like I said before, I would have liked to have served a little bit better today. On court everything has been going pretty well.
Off court, a little bit of a stressful week. I got my truck repossessed. I missed a couple payments and they took my truck from my house this week. I've been grinding to get my truck back. If you know me, that's my baby. Yeah, really grinding to get that back.
Q. Where is that?
TOMMY PAUL: In Florida.
Q. What town?
TOMMY PAUL: In Boca Raton. I don't want to give out my full address (laughter).
Q. What is it going to cost to get it back?
TOMMY PAUL: I already paid it back. A grand. I have my trainer going to pick it up today.
Q. What kind of truck is that?
TOMMY PAUL: F-150. Ford took it back. I'm excited to get it back. I had to win a couple matches so I could pay that off (laughter).
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports