For the second straight year at the BNP Paribas Open, a World No. 2 took part in a classic in their opening match. But unlike Aryna Sabalenka 12 months ago against Peyton Stearns, Alexander Zverev couldn’t get the win.

Tallon Griekspoor edged Zverev — who was also the top seed in the absence of the man who toppled him in the Australian Open final, Jannik Sinner — 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) in more than three hours.

There was drama in the first two sets as Zverev couldn’t serve out proceedings at 6-5 in the second — but it paled in comparison to what happened in the decider. Trying to serve it out himself at 6-5, Griekspoor squandered five match points in a game that lasted around 15 minutes.

Somehow, though, he recovered in the ensuing tiebreak, converting on his sixth match point with fine net play. He then sunk to the court in celebration under sunny skies at Stadium 1. “I had so many battles against him and had chances in all of them,” said Griekspoor, who ended an 0-18 skid against top five opposition.

“Always his way. So, incredibly proud of this performance today and to finally get it over the line.” Zverev wouldn’t have needed to go very far to meet the last German man to hold the top seeding at any Masters 1000 — since it happened to be Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas in 2002.

Despite his lofty status, Zverev’s current form and past history in the desert suggested going all the way might be tough. So it proved. Indian Wells is the only Masters 1000 that he has never made a semifinal at.

“I’m not playing a level that I want to play, definitely not playing anywhere near what I played in Australia,” said Zverev. “This is the end result of, I don't know, yeah, maybe the Australian Open. But I'm just disappointed with my game. That's the No. 1 thing for me.”

Zverev losing a set to Griekspoor isn’t much of a surprise, since the majority of their eight matches have indeed been close, as Griekspoor said. He was stretched to final set tiebreaks at the French Open — Griekspoor led by two breaks in the fifth — and in Shanghai last October.

And last year in Indian Wells, Griekspoor had the first two set points, only for Zverev to rally. A frustrated Griekspoor took out his displeasure on his racquet. But Zverev always found a way to prevail, demonstrated by his lopsided 6-1 head to head record. Before Friday, the World No. 43 had lost all six tiebreaks he played against the multiple Grand Slam finalist.

He entered in form, though, reaching the semifinals in Dubai. Griekspoor’s more aggressive style led him to commit 14 unforced errors more than Zverev but he hit seven more winners.

Zverev became the first men’s top seed to lose his opener at Indian Wells since Andy Murray — who is also in Indian Wells as the coach of Novak Djokovic — in 2017.

Paul cruises, top five win for California’s Giron

A player who has made a semifinal in Indian Wells, Tommy Paul, beat fellow American Tristan Boyer 6-3, 6-1 at Stadium 3.

A shoulder injury and bout of food poisoning last month meant Paul hasn’t played as many matches as he would have liked in 2025. However, the 10th seed pulled away against the 117th-ranked wildcard from Altadena near Los Angeles after a patchy start.

Boyer faced break points in all but two games. As usual, Paul gave the fans a highlight reel point to savor. He hit a backhand slice passing shot winner down the line to help him break for 4-3 in the first.

Like Griekspoor, former UCLA star Marcos Giron earned his first top five win by defeating Casper Ruud 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-2.

The 48th-ranked Giron leaped in joy when the match ended. He made it to the third round for the first time since he was a qualifier in 2019.

“That was an amazing win,” said Giron, who beat Ruud in Tokyo in 2023. “It’s definitely going to be one I look back on. To do it here at my favorite tournament, it’s special.”

In other action, former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini got his first Indian Wells win since 2022 when he overcame Chris O’Connell 6-2, 7-6 (2).

Cam Norrie, who won the title in 2021, upset 23rd seed Jiri Lehecka 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Medvedev impresses against rising Bu

If Daniil Medvedev wanted to get into the groove early at the BNP Paribas Open, his match against Yunchaokete Bu might have been the perfect start. The nightcap featured lengthy rallies and most went the way of the reigning two-time finalist.

So did the match, 6-2, 6-2, on a chilly evening that prompted the fifth seed to wear leggings. Bu, though, donned his usual sleeveless shirt. Like Zverev, Medvedev arrived in the desert looking for wins.

He was convinced they’d come eventually and his impressive performance against the rising Chinese baseliner added weight to his belief. Bu tried to beat Medvedev at his own game in the first set. The 23-year-old ranked 71st stayed patient in rallies, rather than opting for his more aggressive game. Rallies of 26 and 32 shots dazzled the fans at Stadium 1 in the first set. An even longer 34-shot rally, capped by a Medvedev
drop shot winner, came in the sixth game. He earned the key break in that game by ripping a forehand crosscourt winner on the full stretch.

Bu, who held his own recently against two other top 10 players, Zverev and Taylor Fritz, never recovered. But he likely won’t forget his first Indian Wells experience, having earned a win against Next Gen Californian Nishesh Basavareddy and playing on center court twice. Medvedev next plays Basavareddy’s pal, Alex Michelsen.