James Blake: Tommy Paul has what it takes to make a deep run at the US Open

FLASHBACK: James Blake discusses his return to the pro tour on Second Serve.

US Open fan week is well underway with their various pop-up events, exclusive entries, and special player appearances. Tennis fans worldwide are making their way across the grounds to soak in the energy of the fourth and final Grand Slam, and of course, to savor the beloved Honey Deuce.

Also happening this week was an intimate hitting session between James Blake and Casper Ruud.

The two came together to raise money for Memorial Sloan Kettering, a cancer research center on a mission to end cancer for life. And afterwards, the American had some high praise for his fellow hitting partner.

“I think he’s very often an underrated player because he’s not quite as flashy, not quite as outspoken, but he is just absolutely solid.” Blake told Baseline afterward. “His results have proven he’s the contender for Slams. Making the final here last year, finals of the French Open a couple of times. He’s someone who knows how to play deep into Slams.”

In addition to Ruud, Blake says he has an eye on a few American players who could make a deep run on home turf—like Carlos Alcaraz's conqueror Tommy Paul, who recently stunned the world No. 1 in the Toronto quarterfinals.

“Tommy Paul, after doing well in Australia, backing up with a win over Carlos Alcaraz just a few weeks ago,” Blake said. “He knows he can beat just about anyone in the world, it’s just a matter of doing it on the biggest stages.”

Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz, on the other hand, are coming into the Slam with some pressure on their back. Blake noted that Fritz hasn’t had a lot of success in Slams since Wimbledon 2022, so he’ll be hungry for a solid two weeks in New York. And for Tiafoe, this US Open will prove to be the make-or-break moment of the season, with the bulk of his ATP ranking points at stake.

“I think it’ll be one of the bigger stories, how Frances is going to back up his semifinal run last year.” Blake said. “It’s a ton of pressure, he’s in the Top 10 right now but if he doesn’t do well here that will obviously drop.

"He’s had a great year, but when you come into that event and you have the feeling of how well you did last year and the pressure and the expectations, it’s definitely a little different. I’d love to see how he does, how he handles the pressure.”

Blake will have a front row seat to all the US Open action as a returning commentator, and he’s looking forward to scanning the draw for possible up and comers and potential upsets.

Blake's eponymous foundation has already donated a little over $1.1 million towards cancer research, while AKTIV Against Cancer, the foundation that hitting partner Ruud was playing for, has granted $3.3 million for a clinical trial following the effects of exercise as part of cancer treatment.

The two were seen playing with donors Pablo Salame and Kunj Majmudar. Fun fact: Salame and Blake have known each other for about ten years now, and Majmudar and Blake were doubles partners all throughout college.

The event on Tuesday raised $30,000, which is to be split evenly between both foundations for each of their projects at MSK.