Tsitsipas Tshocked By Thompson At Indian Wells; Medvedev Streaks; Alcaraz, Fritz v Shelton Sat.

Second-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas was the first big casualty of the first Masters event of 2023. The 24-year-old world No. 3 tumbled out of the desert by the hands of Australian Jordan Thompson who pulled the upset 7-6(7-0), 4-6, 7-6(7-5).

“It’s unreal. At a Masters 1000, in the Tennis Garden here,” Thompson said to the ATP. “It’s one of my favorite tournaments, I think a lot of players’ favorite tournaments to play. To have a win like that is incredible. Really happy.”

The 28-year-old Thompson smacked 11 aces, broke serve once in the match but won both tiebreakers.

Tsitsipas, who is just 5-5 career at the event, missed an early break chance to start the third.

Thompson is now 2-14 against Top 10 players after a win over Andy Murray at 2017 Queen’s. This was his first win over Tsitsipas in three attempts.

“That day against Andy Murray was probably a little bit unexpected because I was a Lucky Loser. Yeah, happened just to play an unbelievable match and I wasn’t even supposed to be in the draw,” said Thompson.

“Today was a little bit different. You know, I have been on a bit of run of matches. I felt confident, even playing against a top-10 player I felt comfortable in my own skin and what I was doing, and just snuck out a win. It feels unbelievable as well. Yeah, two of my favorite victories.”

No. 3 Casper Ruud had a better day ousting former Top 10 Diego Schwartzman 6-2, 6-3. Ruud, ranked 4th, won 27/33 (82%) of first serves and saved the lone break point he faced.

Tournament favorite Daniil Medvedev moved past 21-year-old American Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 6-3 to up his win streak to 15. Medvedev has won his last three events but has never made the Indian Wells quarterfinals.

“We had some good points,” Medvedev told the crowd. “That’s probably the slowest hard court on the Tour. So many matches I see it’s like rallies, rallies, rallies, so we’re going to have some good points. There were some tough ones in the match, tough break-point saves. I’m happy that I managed to battle through.”

Also, 6th-seeded Andrey Rublev topped Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-2. No. 12 Alexander Zverev dusted Pedro Cachin 6-3, 6-1.

Karen Khachanov, Cameron Norrie and Frances Tiafoe were also winners while Matteo Berrettini fell to Taro Daniel and Grigor Dimitrov had to retire to Jason Kubler.

Today’s schedule is highlighted by the 2023 hard court debut of top seed Carlos Alcaraz. The teen takes on Thanasi Kokkinakis in a first-time tour-level meeting.

Also, No. 4 Taylor Fritz tests countryman Ben Shelton, No. 7 Holger Rune meets Mackenzie McDonald, No. 8 Felix Auger-Aliassime faces Pedro Martinez, No. 9 Hubert Hurkacz draws Alexei Popyrin and No. 11 Jannik Sinner battles Richard Gasquet. Former finalist Andy Murray is also on court.

SATURDAY INDIAN WELLS SCHEDULE
STADIUM 1
Matches Start At: 11:00 am
WTA Karolina Muchova (CZE) vs Victoria Azarenka [14]
WTA Iga Swiatek (POL) [1] vs Claire Liu (USA)
Not Before 3:00 pm
ATP Taylor FRITZ (USA) [4] vs Ben SHELTON (USA)

Not Before 6:00 PM
WTA Ons Jabeur (TUN) [4] vs [LL] Magdalena Frech (POL)
ATP Carlos ALCARAZ (ESP) [1] vs [Q] Thanasi KOKKINAKIS (AUS)

STADIUM 2
Matches Start At: 11:00 am
ATP Pedro MARTINEZ (ESP) vs Felix AUGER-ALIASSIME (CAN) [8]
ATP Andy MURRAY (GBR) vs [LL] Radu ALBOT (MDA)
Not Before 3:00 PM
WTA Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [10] vs [WC] Sofia Kenin (USA)

Not Before 6:00 pm
ATP Mackenzie MCDONALD (USA) vs Holger RUNE (DEN) [7]

Not Before 8:00 PM
WTA Sorana Cirstea (ROU) vs Madison Keys (USA) [19]