Paul Stuns Zverev in Acapulco, Clinches Second Top 20 Win in 2020
Can’t stop, won’t stop! In the midst of what is shaping up to be a breakthrough season, world No. 66 Tommy Paul notched a prestigious win — the best of his career — against world No. 7 and defending runner-up Alexander Zverev (6-3, 6-4) in Acapulco.
22-year-old American Tommy Paul claimed a surprising, yet comprehensive 6-3, 6-4 win against Alexander Zverev to make the Acapulco quarterfinals, the first time he reaches that stage in an ATP 500 event.
Having built up a 2-9 record against top 50 opposition from 2015 to 2019, Tommy Paul has already tripled his tally through the first two months of 2020.
Tommy Paul v. ATP top 50 players:
2015 to 2019: 2-9 record
2020: 4-0 record (wins against #44 Cuevas, #42 Ramos, #20 Dimitrov, #7 Zverev)#AMT2020
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) February 27, 2020
Against Zverev, Paul came out firing on all cylinders, out-powering the German and finding some filthy angles.
Pure filth 🏅@TommyPaul1 with the wickedest of angles in Acapulco. #AMT2020 pic.twitter.com/jmnworuJsO
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 27, 2020
An early break proved enough for him to claim the first set 6-3.
In the second, while up 30-0 at 4-4, Zverev played a nightmarish game with two double faults (his eighth and ninth of the match) and two unforced errors to hand Paul the opportunity to serve for the match…
…which he successfully did for his first career top 10 win.
Cool as you like 👍
American @TommyPaul1 stuns Alexander Zverev for his first career Top 10 win in Acapulco, 6-3 6-4.#AMT2020 pic.twitter.com/WhyHKpSgGY
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 27, 2020
Congratulations to Paul fans, commiserations to Zverev fans. Tommy won 68-60, or 53% to 47%. Clean kill.
— Andrew Burton (@burtonad) February 27, 2020
In the quarterfinals, Tommy Paul will face fellow American John Isner, with the latter leading the head-to-head 1-0.
