Tommy Paul's “super steady” improvement paying off for U.S. Davis Cup team

WATCH: Tommy Paul defeats Daniel Evans in the 2022 Davis Cup Finals

Slowly, Tommy Paul is achieving some big goals. He won his first ATP title at Stockholm in 2021. He is currently a career-high No. 29 in the rankings. Now, he's also won his first Davis Cup match.

Not any match, either—a tough three-setter against Daniel Evans on what appeared to be very slow hard courts in front of a packed crowd in Glasgow, giving the United States a crucial first point in a 2-1 victory against Great Britain.

“It was a really high-level match,” Paul said. “I played Dan a few times. I don't think I've ever gotten him in a match before. But I played him not too long ago, a month or two ago, in Canada. We had a war, there, really high level. Very similar to today. He got the best of me there.

"I was happy to get my first win over him, especially at Davis Cup. Any time I can win for my country, it's a big deal for me.

“Obviously, at some point I'd love for it to be a bigger deal to get American fans out there more.”

Paul says a more positive attitude towards playing and being on tour has been important for his recent improvement.

“I get pissed,” he said with a laugh. “I'm really competitive. I'm not super up or down. But I'm super-competitive. If you are practicing something, if you feel like you perfected something in practice, you're excited, man. If you love the game, it's exciting.

"Obviously I think you could ask every tennis player, they'll have a love-hate relationship with tennis because it's not always the most fun being away from home, traveling all the time.

“I've been really enjoying my time on court. I think I've kind of figured out a pretty good system to keep myself there.”

Paul has improved his serving, and is now not only consistent with his forehand and his backhand, but also can attack or hit a winner when he is in the right position. Though it took him a while, he's gradually starting to understand the way he wants to play and gaining confidence.

“There hasn't been one jump at all. It’s just been super steady on the way up.” Paul said. “It hasn't been like a semifinal of a Slam, or anything. That's ultimately the goal, to go really, really deep in the Slams—try and win big tournaments.

"I'm having a lot of fun on court. That has a lot to do with it. If you're enjoying it, that makes a huge difference.”

The rest of the tie had Taylor Fritz falling against Cameron Norrie, and Rajeev Ram and Jack Sock defeating Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury 7-5 in the third in the doubles.

The United States will face Kazakhstan next in the Group D playoffs, which also includes the Netherlands.