"Alexander Zverev in his flop era is so delicious" - Tennis fans rejoice on Twitter as German suffers surprise Indian Wells loss
Tommy Paul earned the biggest win of his career on Monday, upsetting World No. 3 Alexander Zverev in the second round of the Indian Wells Masters. The American recovered from a break down in the final set to pull off a 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2) win.
The German has struggled to make a mark this season and currently has a 9-4 win-loss record on the ATP tour. He was beaten in the fourth round of the Australian Open by Denis Shapovalov and defaulted from the Mexican Open due to unsportsmanlike conduct.
TP in IW = 💪
@TommyPaul1 gets another top ten scalp in the desert, coming from a break down in the 3rd set to beat Zverev 6-2 4-6 7-6!
#IndianWells https://t.co/lOlvbXRRcz
The German was handed a fine and a suspended ban for his antics in Acapulco, but many fans felt he got off lightly and should have been banned for at least a few months.
Twitter appeared to rejoice at Alexander Zverev's loss to Paul, with the general sentiment being that justice had been served.
One user joked that since the ATP decided not to ban Zverev, Tommy Paul took it upon himself to kick the German out of the Indian Wells Masters.
Paul literally said “if they’re not gonna ban Zverev I’ll do it myself”.
"Paul literally said 'if they're not gonna ban Zverev, I'll do it myself,'" they tweeted.
Similarly, another user commented that while the ATP refused to prohibit Alexander Zverev from playing any more matches on the tour, Tommy Haul handled the situation himself.
ATP: under no circumstances will we stop Alexander Zverev from playing tennis matches
Tommy Paul: let me handle this
Another user proclaimed that it was "beautiful" that Alexander Zverev suffered an early exit as they felt he should not be competing in the first place.
something so beautiful about zverev losing early in a tournament he shouldn’t even be allowed to play in ❤️
Plenty of others reveled in the German's struggles on the court.
"Omg I woke up to Zverev out????? Love this," one user wrote
Omg I woke up to ZVEREV OUT???? love this
"Zverev in his flop era is so delicious to me," another one said.
zverev in his flop era is so DELICIOUS to me
"I love everyone's reactions on the TL waking up to tommy paul beating zverev. nature is healing," tweeted another one.
i love everyone's reactions on the TL waking up to tommy paul beating zverev. nature is healing
One person pointed out Zverev's recent losses against Shapovalov, Alexander Bublik, and Paul and questioned how the German could ever have been considered the heir to Novak Djokovic's throne.
"Zverev loses to Shapovalov, Bublik and now Tommy Paul and ya'll expect me to believe that this man could ever be on the level of Novak Djokovic? This man can barely sniff Medvedev's shoes," they wrote.
Zverev loses to Shapovalov, Bublik, and now Tommy Paul and y'all expect me to believe that this man could ever be on the level of Novak Djokovic? This man can barely sniff Medvedev's shoes.
Another user lauded Paul's efforts during the match and suggested that the American's aggressive return position during Zverev's service games forced the German into a double fault.
Tommy Paul bullying Sascha Zverev into doublefaulting with his return posiition 😂😂 #IndianWells https://t.co/b5na3maNgr
Following his win over Zverev, Tommy Paul will take on Alex de Minaur in the third round of the Indian Wells Masters on Tuesday.
Alexander Zverev will look to bounce back in Miami
After his disappointing run at the Indian Wells Masters, Zverev will look to bounce back at the Miami Open, which kicks off next week. The German will be seeded No. 2 following the withdrawal of Novak Djokovic.
2022 Miami Open ATP Entry List with Medvedev, Zverev and Tsitsipas (Last Update - 12-03) #Tennis #IndianWells tennisuptodate.com/wta/2022-miami… https://t.co/4edBTw3I5X
Zverev was the runner-up in Miami in 2018. He defeated Daniil Medvedev, Nick Kyrgios, and Pablo Carreno Busta en route to the final, before losing to John Isner in three sets.