URBANA — Eighteen-year-old Tommy Paul was cruising, methodically breaking down his opponent Thursday at Atkins Tennis Center.
After taking the first set 6-4, Paul held a 5-1 lead in the second set of a second-round matchup at the Car-X Futures of Champaign tournament over his opponent, 23-year-old Evan King. Engaged in a long rally, King lobbed a soft one at Paul, who responded with a line-hugging missile that shot past King to set up match point.
“I deserved that,” King said to no one in particular as the ball bounced by him.
Paul took the next point as well, giving him a 6-4, 6-1 win and a berth in the quarterfinals.