Confident Pouille Eyes Bigger Success in 2017

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Confident Pouille Eyes Bigger Success in 2017

France’s Lucas Pouille started the summer with a 2-11 record at the majors, but after back-to-back quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, the 22-year-old is suddenly looking like one of the most promising players on the ATP Tour. Pouille lost in straight sets to Gael Monfils in Tuesday’s quarterfinals, but he won three consecutive five-setters in New York, proving that not only is he talented—he’s tough.

More: Pouille Stuns Nadal in Five Sets at U.S. Open

Pouille told reporters that his round of 16 win over Rafael Nadal was the biggest win of his career on Tuesday after he was eliminated. “Yeah, the one against Rafa, of course,” he said. “It's the best win of my career so far.”

That win, and his body of work this summer, have Pouille’s confidence sky high.

“It's a lot of confidence,” he said. “Even if I lose today, I will leave New York with a lot of confidence for the rest of the year and the next season. Now I know I can be in quarterfinal again and maybe more. Yeah, give me power to work harder and to be, yeah, next time in quarter. I want to be stronger physically and, yeah, to be more fresh.”

Does Pouille have the talent to become France’s first male Grand Slam winner since 1983?

“I think he does,” Yannick Noah told ESPN’s Pam Shriver in an courtside interview during the Nadal match. The 1983 Roland Garros hints that the ere of Big 4 domination is coming to an end and that presents massive opportunity for a player like Pouille.

“He’s been improving a lot in the six months, really,” Noah said. “He’s on his way up. He works hard—very humble but a lot of ambition. I think it’s time. I think Lucas it one of the guys who can sneak in.”

Pouille may not be thinking about winning majors yet but he is excited to follow up on his breakout summer in 2017. “Yeah, of course,” he said. “Now the next one gonna be in Australia. It's going to be a new year. But I won't go there to win only one match. I want to do second week and more. That's gonna be my goal next year.”

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