Upsets Rock BNP Paribas Open as Top Seeds Fall

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Several high-profile upsets marked the BNP Paribas Open on Friday and Saturday, with top seeds suffering significant defeats in both men’s and women’s competitions.

In a dramatic second-round match on Friday, Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands stunned second-ranked Alexander Zverev, winning 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) in a grueling 3-hour, 7-minute encounter. Griekspoor collapsed on the court in celebration after converting his sixth match point on the Stadium One court. This victory marked Griekspoor’s first win over a top-five opponent in 19 attempts.

“Finally,” Griekspoor wrote with a smiley face on the camera lens, reflecting on the hard-fought win. The 28-year-old had lost to Zverev five times previously, including a heartbreaking match at Roland Garros last year where he held a double break in the fifth set. He expressed pride in his performance, saying, “I am incredibly proud of myself from this performance, and to get it over the line.”

Griekspoor now moves on to face another opponent in the third round. Zverev, who served for the match in the second set, acknowledged his struggle with form since competing in the Australian Open final in January. “I’m just not playing good tennis at the moment,” he told the media. “I’m not playing a level that I want to play, definitely not playing anywhere near what I played in Australia.”

On the women’s side, No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek from Poland dominated her first match at Indian Wells, defeating her opponent 6-2, 6-0 on Friday. Swiatek’s win sets her up for a match against Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko, who upset Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in straight sets.

Swiatek’s sharp performance follows her victory at the same tournament last year. “I feel great being back here; it’s an amazing atmosphere,” she commented after the match, which showcased her prowess on the court.

As the weekend unfolded, surprises continued with Elina Svitolina and others advancing in the women’s draw. Svitolina, ranked No. 23, expressed gratitude toward fans for their support, particularly as she competes amid the backdrop of her home country’s ongoing conflict with Russia.

“I want to thank you for your support of Ukraine,” Svitolina stated after a hard-fought win. The gestures resonate strongly given her vocal activism regarding the situation in her home country.

Saturday brought further surprises, with Novak Djokovic suffering a shocking second-round loss to Dutch lucky loser Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, could not find rhythm and accumulated 14 unforced errors in the first set alone.

“Just a bad day in the office,” Djokovic said after the match, acknowledging he had no excuses for his performance. Despite a strong start to the second set, he faltered in the decider.

Djokovic, who faced injury issues earlier in the year, expressed disappointment but congratulated his opponent. This loss came amid an already turbulent tournament for top players, as Zverev and others faced early exits.

The tournament continues to attract attention with its competitive matches and unexpected outcomes, reflecting the unpredictable nature of tennis.