The summer of 2014 has been a memorable one for David Goffin thus far. After falling to Andy Murray in the first round at Wimbledon, the Belgian won three consecutive Challenger events followed by his first ATP 250 title this weekend in Kitzbuhel. With these results, Goffin is in the midst of a 20-match winning streak, which included an undefeated run in the month of July. The 23-year-old is the first Belgian player to win an ATP title since Steve Darcis in Memphis six years ago. Now, after four straight titles on clay, he will attempt to carry his success onto the hard courts in North America.

However, while Goffin is enjoying success now, his 2014 campaign was slow out of the gate. He was forced to retire from his first tournament of the season at New Caledonia due to an injury that sidelined him from the Australian Open qualifying draw as well. Later, as play turned to clay, Goffin found little success on his favorite surface and ultimately fell in the first round at Roland Garros. Likewise, the grass season was unaccommodating and Goffin turned back to clay where he finally found positive results.

The Belgian first made significant waves on Tour during a final 16 run at Roland Garros in 2012, and he impressed later that season during the US Open Series in a quarterfinal run at Winston-Salem. There, the right-hander who is listed at 5'11” and 150 pounds stood toe-to-toe with higher-ranked opponents in victories against Viktor Troicki, Nicholas Mahut, and Lukasz Kubot, all players over 6'3”. Additionally, the undersized Goffin pushed 6'10” John Isner in a quarterfinal loss, where he forced the American to a first-set tiebreak in his home tournament before falling.

However, after landing in the top 50 that season, Goffin fell out of the top 100 over the following year as he struggled in his attempts to return to his prior success. In fact, Goffin sat at world No.106 less than a month ago. After his recent run, he has seen his ranking vault to world No. 48.

Light on his feet, Goffin uses his comparatively slight yet athletic build to his advantage. He has exhibited the prowess to remain in points at times by seemingly running down balls that appear to be out of reach. Likewise, he has displayed the ability to quickly turn defense into offense placing his opponents on their heels while tactfully mixing in crisp volleys. The Belgian has earned a reputation for his mentally tough, even-keeled approach and consistent ability to strike key shots during pressure points in a match. In his maiden ATP Championship, Goffin showed poise as he rallied to win the last two sets against Dominic Thiem, to earn the title.

Now, back in the top 50 for the first time in two years, a more experienced Goffin may be better equipped to handle the hard courts ahead. “You work so much in the fitness room and on the court for a moment like today. You play so many practices and so many matches to have this emotion,” he said after his Kitzbuhel championship.

With attention turning towards those courts and the U. S. Open, a confident Goffin will look to continue his winning streak on a surface besides clay. However, he only needs to look back at hard-court victories against John Isner, Philipp Kohlschreiber and Vasek Pospisil in years past as evidence that, while his game might be best suited to the red clay, it has potential for success on the hard courts.

With the level of competition taking a dramatic rise in the next several weeks, Goffin will require his peak form to continue his impressive streak. However, expect the scrappy Belgian to leave it all on the court, win or lose. Whether Goffin can continue to build off of his current success will hinge upon positive results on the hard courts that lie ahead. Regardless, he enters August as one of the hottest players on tour and one who could provide entertaining and competitive matchups as the U. S. Open approaches.