Alexander Zverev loses first match since Acapulco incident as Tommy Paul gameplan pays off at Indian Wells

Tommy Paul recorded the biggest victory of his career to send Alexander Zverev crashing out of Indian Wells in what was the No. 3 seed’s first match since being handed a suspended eight-week ban. Zverev was cleared to play at the BNP Paribas Open despite calls for him to be suspended after striking the umpire's chair in Acapulco.

Ad/> After receiving a bye into the second round, Zverev was a break up in the final set of his match against Paul, but the American rallied to win the tie-break and seal a 6-2 4-6 7-6(2) victory. ATP Indian Wells'Kids watching us' — Nadal calls for tougher penalties after Zverev outburst11/03/2022 AT 07:13 Zverev goes down as the biggest scalp of Paul’s career to date, and the 24-year-old – who is currently a career-high No. 39 in the world – was delighted with his level against the German, as well as his “aggressive” tactics as highlighted by the numerous return winners off his opponent’s second serve.

“I played a really high level today,” Paul said, with Zverev winning just 35 per cent of points on his second serve. “Last time I played him I think I played well and put pressure on him, so I knew how I wanted to play him, and I came out and executed it well. Serena right about Zverev double standard after 'lenient' punishment — Evert Serena: 'I would probably be in jail' for Zverev's umpire chair attack Zverev given eight-week suspended ban for attacking umpire's chair “I got lucky a little bit in the end, but I played well when it came down to the breaker, so I’m happy with my performance.

/> “I never felt out of the match. My gameplan in the tie-break was to play more aggressive than I did the whole match, and see if he comes up with the goods. When I come to the net, see if he comes up with