Zverev, Murray Tumble At Indian Wells; Nadal, Medvedev, Tsitsipas v Brooksby Ahead

Through two rounds at Indian Wells, it’s looking like there will be at least one, likely two new semifinalists from the bottom half after more upsets hit the draw Sunday.

The embattled No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev fell in his opener to Tommy Paul in a final set breaker 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2). Zverev, who also lost to Paul in their only previous meeting two years ago in Acapulco, had his second serve picked apart in a quick opener, but settled down and led with a break 4-2 in the third.

“I never felt out of the match,” said Paul. “My gameplan in the tiebreak 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 big passing shots, and if he did that, then too good. That was my process.”

Zverev was playing his first event since he getting reprimanded for his default in Acapulco. Many felt Zverev should be off the tour.

Former No. 1 Andy Murray is also out of the draw after falling in straights to Alexander Bublik 7-6(9), 6-3.

“For me, it’s great to have a win here,” Bublik told the crowd. “It’s really tennis paradise. To beat Andy, finally – if he would be my age, it would have been a lot tougher.”

Murray now heads to Miami.

“Both of us had some chances in the tie-break, but in the first set I certainly created more of the opportunities and I didn’t take them,” said Murray.

“He obviously came up with some good serves at times, but I certainly had my chances and against players that play that style of tennis and have obviously big serves and are not easy to break, you need to be ruthless when you get your chances and I just didn’t quite play well enough in those moments today.”

Matteo Berrettini opened play and avoided the upset denying youngster Holger Rune 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

“It was definitely a tough match. I expected it,” the Italian said. “He’s improving every time I see him. He’s going to have a bright future.

“Today I think I was able to manage the strokes. I’m really happy, because I wasn’t feeling that comfortable in the court.”

Andrey Rublev quietly upped his win streak to 10 easing past Dominik Koepfer 7-5, 6-4. The German led early 4-2 before the Russian changed gears.

Americans Taylor Fritz, Steve Johnson, John Isner and Frances Tiafoe were also winners. Botic van de Zandschulp upset Felix Auger-Aliassime in three sets.

Grigor Dimitrov and Hubert Hurkacz also advanced to the third round.

On Monday for the start of the third round, Rafael Nadal returns to face Dan Evans. Daniil Medvedev meet Gael Monfils and in the match of the day, Stefanos Tsitsipas takes on Jenson Brooksby.

INDIAN WELLS MONDAY SCHEDULE
STADIUM 1 start 11:00 am
ATP – [1] D. Medvedev vs [26] G. Monfils (FRA)
ATP – [4] R. Nadal (ESP) vs [27] D. Evans (GBR)
Not Before 3:00 PM
WTA – [13] V. Azarenka vs [17] E. Rybakina (KAZ)
Not Before 6:00 pm
ATP – J. Brooksby (USA) vs [5] S. Tsitsipas (GRE)
Not Before 8:00 PM
WTA – [18] L. Fernandez (CAN) vs S. Rogers (USA)

STADIUM 2 start 11:00 am
WTA – [6] M. Sakkari (GRE) vs [27] P. Kvitova (CZE)
WTA – [30] M. Vondrousova (CZE) vs [4] A. Kontaveit
ATP – [17] R. Opelka (USA) vs [13] D. Shapovalov (CAN)
Not Before 6:00 PM
WTA – [5] P. Badosa (ESP) vs [32] S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP)
ATP – [WC] N. Kyrgios (AUS) vs [8] C. Ruud (NOR)