Indian Wells: Top seed Alexander Zverev stunned by 'incredibly proud' Tallon Griekspoor in disappointing early exit
Updated 08/03/2025 at 10:38 GMT
Tallon Griekspoor upset top seed and world No. 2 Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells on Friday to earn the biggest win of his career. Zverev had the win in the palm of his hand at 6-5 in the second set, but was unable to serve for the win. Griekspoor took full advantage of the German and handed him a loss. Fourth seed Casper Ruud also suffered a shock exit while Cameron Norrie beat Jiri Lehecka.
Tallon Griekspoor
Image credit: Getty Images
Tallon Griekspoor shocked top seed Alexander Zverev, knocking him out in his opening match at Indian Wells with a 4-6 7-6(5) 7-6(4) win.
The German continues a poor run of form at a time in the season where the world No. 1 ranking is up for grabs following Jannik Sinner's suspension.
Zverev now holds a record of four wins and four losses since reaching the Australian Open final, and like his record, he blew hot and cold against the Dutchman.
He had the chance to close it out with a service game but missed that and several opportunities throughout the match.
Zverev had entered the tournament as the top seed in the absence of Sinner but has failed to live up to the billing.
"It was such a mental thing. I lost to him five times last year and had absolute heartbreak at Roland Garros where I was up a double break in the fifth," Griekspoor said following the match.
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"I played so many battles against him and had chances but they all went his way. I am incredibly proud of myself for this performance and to get it over the line."
Having clinched the first set, he looked to be on his way to the third round after recovering from 1-4 down in the second set.
But Griekspoor fired back and took the second in a tiebreak to force a decider.
The Dutchman fired several break points at Zverev but just like the German, could not close out the tie.
At 5-5, Griekspoor broke again and stepped up to serve for the match, but dropped four match points and allowed Zverev to take the break on his fifth chance.
But he recovered and converted his sixth match point in the breaker to close out the match.
It took him a little over three hours to best Zverev, and Griekspoor scribbled "finally," on the camera as a jibe to himself.
"I had some ankle problems from the first match and I didn't know how it was going to be today," Griekspoor added.
"I felt it was pretty warm as well, over three hours. I am proud of myself with my mental and physical performance."
Norrie advances, Ruud upset
British No. 2 Cameron Norrie pulled off an upset win over 23rd seed Jiri Lehecka.
Norire, who won the biggest title of his career at Indian Wells in 2021, recovered from dropping the first set to win 3-6 6-4 7-5.
The 29-year-old will next face 10th seed Tommy Paul.
Marcos Giron shocked fourth seed Casper Ruud 7-6(4) 3-6 6-2.
"That was an amazing win. It will be one I look back on with amazing memories," said Giron, who saved four set points in the opening set.
"To do it here at my favourite tournament is special. It was the tournament I came to when I was younger and it was an amazing atmosphere."
Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev dropped just four games as he beat Bu Yunchaokete 6-2 6-2 in his opening match.
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