Tommy Paul collected the biggest win of his career with a stunning 6-2 4-6 7-6(2) victory over third seed Alexander Zverev under the lights at Indian Wells on Sunday.
America's Tommy Paul bagged his biggest career win with a sensational 6-2 4-6 7-6(2) display over third seed Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells on Sunday. After a strong start, the 24-year-old's fortunes appeared to dry up in the California desert when the power-hitting German was up a break and serving at 4-2 in the decider.
However, the world no. 3 committed four double faults in the game to let Paul back into the clash, and the American did not waste the opportunity. He kept his nerves and forced a tiebreak, where he displayed some flawless tennis skills to secure the upset before a crowd that cheered him on.
Feeling at home 🇺🇸 secures his place in the next round after defeating Alexander Zverev 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 💪 | pic.twitter.com/VXlcljD47V
— ATP Tour (@atptour)"I started well, I came to the net a ton and put a lot of pressure on his serve. He started serving really well there in the second set and even into the third, but I got kind of lucky there when I got down a break. We'll always take those," he said with a laugh," Paul said in an on-court interview.
Next up for the American is a third-round clash with Alex de Minaur, who defeated fellow Australian John Millman 7-6(4) 6-3.
Also read: Indian Wells: Naomi Osaka reduced to tears by heckler; irks well-wishers
Following Zverev's shocking exit, critics took to Twitter to express their views on the German's performance following the Acapulco chair umpire outburst. The German was handed a suspended eight-week ban for smashing his racket against the umpire's chair at last month's Mexico Open, for which he was expelled from the tournament.
Maybe Zverev needs to pullout from Miami Masters and take a break.. His mental strength is in tatters at the moment. Just Gifted Tommy paul the match at after leading at the decider.. 🤐
— Aka$h meNon (@AkashHustle)USA's Tommy Paul with the upset in Indian Wells: Back from a break down in the 3d to defeat No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev 6-2 4-6 7-6 (2). Grabbed the breaker by the lapels and shook it from the start against the man who should not be playing anywhere right now after Acapulco pic.twitter.com/RuCOjnlriH
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey)Tommy Paul doing justice with his own hands, Zverev shouldn’t even be allowed on site, ATP being weak again…
— Rodrigo Mariz (@RacquetRod)Zverev had chances to fight for the #1 in Indian Wells & Miami.
Not anymore.
Having quite a poor start of the season.
There are many that feel Alexander Zverev should not have been allowed to play Indian Wells this year after his Acapulco behaviour.
He is no longer in the singles. Beaten in a final set tie-break by Tommy Paul.
dude - Tommy Paul deserves to kick your ass
— tennalyst (@tennalyst)Up 4-2 in the third, Zverev just hit 4 double faults in a service game to give away his break advantage.
A sign of a true champion 🙈
TOMMY PAUL TOOK OUT ZVEREV pic.twitter.com/jmcnRLtcJu
— 🥤 (@ruudbweh)Zverev choking is my favorite Indian Wells tradition
— Waluigi IRL 🇺🇦 (@NoBSRussian)Zverev pleading to god rn like… He’s not helping you… not tonight not ever
— sasak (@tennistaboo)Zverev choking and out of form since Tourin finals and still hasn't faced Nadal one time this year and he has the chance to play against him.
Then suddenly peaking in every tournament that Nole plays.
He better get suspended. Useless player. Unbearable.
You know why ATP didn't suspend Zverev? So that he can continue to make a mockery of himself with these epic chokes against players ranked outside the top 30. Eat shit you 🐀
— Raghav (@raghavv_01)tommy paul 🤝 tennis twitter
agreeing that alexander zverev should be kicked out of tournaments
Zverev's decline is too serious, which is in sharp contrast with his performance in 2021. This year, he didn't have any outstanding performance in every competition......😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/TlMxVRTIbW
— 遠い星空 (@BUKU9430)something so beautiful about zverev losing early in a tournament he shouldn’t even be allowed to play in ❤️
— shauni 🌸 (@shankanos)Zverev can't carry his momentum from last year.
Not the ideal start to his season:
- R4 loss to Shapo in AO
- Default in Mexico
- R2 loss to TP in IW pic.twitter.com/7mb0CZdF8B
Zverev was fined $20,000 for verbal abuse, 20,000 dollars for unsportsmanlike conduct and forfeited more than 31,000 dollars in prize money and all rankings points earned from singles and doubles action at the Abierto Mexicano tournament.
Following a review, the ATP found that the 24-year-old German had committed "aggravated behaviour" under the Player Major Offense section of its rules and issued an additional fine of 25,000 dollars and eight-week suspension from any ATP-sanctioned event.
But the ATP said the fine and suspension was withheld on the condition that, over a probation period ending on February 22, 2023, a year after the incident, Zverev has not incurred any more fines for unsportsmanlike conduct, verbal or physical abuse.
Alexander Bublik bounces Andy Murray
Alexander Bublik defeated Andy Murray 7-6(9) 6-3 to notch his first win over the Scot in three career meetings earlier in the day. The Kazakhstan player stood and joined the crowd in applauding the three-time major champion, who claimed his 700th career win on Friday as he walked off the court.
"Obviously, in the tiebreak, both of us had some chances, but in the first set, I certainly created more opportunities, and I didn't take them," Murray told reporters following the loss.
Meanwhile, sixth seed Matteo Berrettini survived a tough test from 18-year-old qualifier Holger Rune and hung on for a 6-3 4-6 6-4 win. The Italian Australian Open semifinalist was forced to retire with an injury during the second set of his last match against Paul at the Mexican Open and admitted to having some rust.
"It's always tricky when you step into the court again, so I'm happy to get the win," Berrettini said.
In other second-round action, Americans Taylor Fritz, Steve Johnson, Frances Tiafoe and John Isner all won in straight sets, while fan favourite Diego Schwartzman of Argentina and Hubert Hurkacz of Poland needed three sets to advance to the third round of the Masters 1000 tournament.