“It’s probably my best win,” Paul admitted of the result. “I was obviously pumped for the match-up because it’s always interesting when you play one of the big three.

“I’ve only played him the second time, but the first time I was so nervous. It was weird, this time I wasn’t really nervous. I was pretty relaxed going onto the court and the day before. I think that played a role.”

Tommy Paul took on the Spaniard for the first time in Acapulco earlier this year. Off the back of his incredible Australian Open triumph, Nadal downed the American 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) to advance to the semi-finals in Mexico.

Despite losing the first set in Paris, Paul felt he fought well to start the match.

“I came out playing pretty well,” he said. “He got the first set, but I feel like I played pretty well from the jump.

“I thought when I was making my first serve, I was playing well.

“I had a lot of fun out there. It was probably the best I’ve played in the past three months. I know it’s been a slow Europe swing for me, so I’m pumped to get that W [win].”

A win over Pablo Carreno Busta in the next round would take Paul into the quarter-finals of a Masters 1000 event for the second time in his career. His first came at the Montreal Masters in August.