Has Tommy Paul figured out how to beat Carlos Alcaraz?

When Tommy Paul isn't traveling the world on tour, he makes Boca Raton, Florida his home. He's been seen training, recently, at FAU and Evert Tennis Academy like a beast. And the hard work is paying off — Paul just took out Carlos Alcaraz for the second time in Toronto. 

That's right. Paul actually leads the rivalry 2-1 and seems to have figured out something that's puzzled most pros. Has Tommy Paul cracked the code on Carlos Alcaraz?

Above: Tommy Paul lacing up his New Balance sneakers prior to practice

"I really went after my shots," said Paul of his 6-3 4-6 6-3 win over Alcaraz before losing to Jannik Sinner in Toronto's semifinal.

"You can't start any points on your heels against [Alcaraz] or he'll take advantage of that. So you really have to go after your shots early in the rally and I was feeling really good on the first-strike tennis. That was the difference today," according to Paul.

But it wasn't just high-level fitness and first-strike tennis that allowed Tommy Paul to take out the world no. 1. Some of it was swagger. 

Above: A look at Tommy Paul's experience training at Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton

"It helps knowing that you can beat your opponent. You never want to walk on the court and be like 'I don't know if I can beat this guy'. It's the attitude you've got to have no matter who you are playing," said Paul.

In the post-match interview discussing his loss to Paul, Alcaraz admits, "The matches that we've played have been really tough ones... He's a really solid player. Has great talent, great shots. He's really fast as well.

"So he's one of the best players in the world right now. There's no doubt about it. He's really tough on every surface. He's a mix of everything. It makes him really tough."

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Written by Florida Tennis' Executive Editor and Publisher Matt Pressman. Source:  Eurosport, Reuters. Video: Tennis Channel. Photos: New Balance.