Strong punch. The German Alexander Zverev, No. 3 in the world ranking and current champion of the ATP Finals, crashed on Sunday night against the American Tommy Paul (39th). The third favorite from Indian Wells, the first Masters 1000 of the year, fell 6-2, 4-6 and 7-6 (2) in his debutin the second round premiere on American soil, on hard surface.
Zverev, a quarterfinalist last year in the Californian desert, surrendered to a Paul who played the match of his life and who defeated him for the second time in as many clashes, after Acapulco 2020.
The German suffered a lot with the serve, the blow that usually puts him down in games, and he succumbed to the powerful and solid tennis of Paul, an irregular but always careful opponent.
The German missed a break of advantage in the third set and completely melted in the tiebreaker, in which Paul triumphed 7-2 after two hours and 18 games. Thus, the loser was 8-6 in this tournament, where his best task was fulfilled in 2021, when he reached the quarterfinals.
Zverev said goodbye to Indian Wells and made way for the 24-year-old local player, who will face Australian Alex De Miñaur, the 29th seed in the tournament, in the third round.
