The first round is in the books at the BNP Paribas Open, which means that we’re hear to celebrate the greatest achievements – offbeat or otherwise – from the first two days of main draw action. Scroll down as we hand out the trophies!
GET TICKETS37-year-old Gael Monfils is carrying the torch for 30-somethings at this year’s BNP Paribas Open. The Frenchman dropped just three games in his 6-1, 6-2 takedown of Australia’s Max Purcell on Stadium 2.
This one goes to 18-year-old Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic. The talented World No. 81 improved to 11-4 on the season with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Seonchan Hong of South Korea. Mensik picked up his first Masters 1000 victory and is the youngest player remaining in the draw on the men’s side.
19-year-old American Alex Michelsen took down Jaume Munar 6-2, 6-3.
19-year-old Chinese Juncheng Shang topped Jordan Thompson, 6-2. 6-3.
19-year-old Arthur Fils defeated Nuno Borges 7-6(5), 6-2.
Lucas Pouille, former World No. 10, has made the most of his wild card into qualifying. The current World No. 273 battled into the main draw and on Thursday he took out Germany’s Daniel Altmaier, 6-4, 6-3 to earn his first Masters 1000 win since May of 2022.
Pouille, who came through a battle with depression to return to the tour last season, has raised his ranking from 675 to a current live ranking of 235 in the last nine months.
He earned his first win at Indian Wells since 2017.
Let’s hear it for the working moms at the BNP Paribas Open! Mothers went 5-0 in the opening round, as Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber, Tatjana Maria and Taylor Townsend all gained safe passage – they join seeded players Victoria Azarenka and Elina Svitolina in the second round.
Australia’s Chris O’Connell prevailed in three sets to Jack Draper on Thursday, but he left his impression with this world-beating backhand down the line:
“I had a chip on my shoulder, because not a lot of people thought I was going to be good, and that’s okay – I didn’t either, for a long time.”
The American teen came to Indian Wells for qualifying last year with a ranking of 306 – he’ll play his second-round match against Tommy Paul with a ranking of No.73.
One-handed topspin drive, torched crosscourt forehand, backhand slice, wickedly angled forehand, sneaky slice down the line and volley winner. This mega combo from Stan Wawrinka had it all.
