PIX: Top seed Zverev, Ruud sent packing at Indian Wells

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Last updated on: March 08, 2025 08:31 IST

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Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands celebrates victory over Germany's Alexander Zverev in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden, CA, USA, on Friday.

IMAGE: Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands celebrates victory over Germany's Alexander Zverev in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden, CA, USA, on Friday. Photograph: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images/Reuters

Tallon Griekspoor upset top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(4) in a marathon second round clash at Indian Wells on Friday.

The Dutchman collapsed on the court after converting his sixth match-point to end an absorbing three hour, seven minute affair under sunny skies on Stadium One court.

 

"I'm incredibly proud. It was such a mental battle to beat him," Griekspoor said, after beating the German, who had dominated their head-to-head match-ups coming into the contest.

"I beat him once but then lost the next six times so it was such a mental thing. Happy to finally get it out of the way."

Alexander Zverev stretches fully to return one from Tallon Griekspoor during the match.

IMAGE: Alexander Zverev stretches fully to return one from Tallon Griekspoor during the match. Photograph: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images/Reuters

Zverev served for the match in the second set but was unable to get over the line and Griekspoor edged him in the second set tie-breaker to force a decider.

Griekspoor failed to convert five match-points with the match on his racket at 6-5 in the third but regrouped to win the deciding tie-break.

It was Griekspoor's first win over a top five opponent in 19 attempts.

"Finally," Griekspoor wrote with a smiley face on the TV camera lens after the hard-fought victory.

Griekspoor will face big serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the third round. Perricard advanced after Hungarian Fabian Marozsan retired.

Marcos Giron of the United States hits the ball past Norway's Casper Ruud.

IMAGE: Marcos Giron of the United States hits the ball past Norway's Casper Ruud. Photograph: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images/Reuters

Fourth seed Casper Ruud fell to American Marcos Giron 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-2 in the other big upset of the day.

Giron was ecstatic after shocking the Norwegian, leaping into the air and shouting as the crowd erupted after reaching the third round of the tournament for a second time.

"That was an amazing win. It will be one I look back on with amazing memories," Giron said.

"To do it here at my favorite tournament is special. It was the tournament I came to when I was younger and it was an amazing atmosphere.

Perricard, ranked No 30, led 6-4 when Marozsan, ranked No 54, pulled out following an ankle injury.

Popular 10th seed Tommy Paul eased past fellow American Tristan Boyer 6-3, 6-1 in front of a packed stands on court three and will face Britain's Cameron Norrie, who defeated 23rd seed Jiri Lehecka 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas failed to convert his first match-point while his opponent was down on the court but ultimately prevailed 6-2, 6-4 over Thiago Seyboth Wild.

Dane Holger Rune, seeded 12th, will face 18th seeded Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the third round after they both enjoyed straight-sets victories on Friday.

 Poland's Iga Swiatek in action against France's Caroline Garcia.

IMAGE: Poland's Iga Swiatek in action against France's Caroline Garcia. Photograph: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images/Reuters

On the women's side, Iga Swiatek got her title defense off to a hot start in the desert, dominating Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-0.

The Polish second seed will next face Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska, who upset Tunisian Ons Jabeur in straight sets earlier in the day.

Elena Rybakina was sharp in her first match at Indian Wells since winning the title in 2023, taking out Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-3.

The big-serving Rybakina, who was born in Russia but represents Kazakhstan, missed the tournament last year due to illness.

She will face Britain's Katie Boulter in the third round after the 25th seed beat Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-0.

Ukraine's 18th seed Marta Kostyuk and a pair of Czechs - 15th seed Karolina Muchova and Katerina Siniakova - also advanced to the third round of the WTA 1000 event.

On the women's side, Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina was sharp in her first match, taking out Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-3.

The 2023 champion, who missed the tournament last year due to illness, will face Britain's Katie Boulter in the third round after the 25th seed beat Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-0.

Ukraine's 18th seed Marta Kostyuk and a pair of Czechs - 15th seed Karolina Muchova and Katerina Siniakova - also advanced to the third round.

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