Tallon Griekspoor upset top seed and World No. 2 Alexander Zverev on Friday at the BNP Paribas Open to earn the biggest win of his career in Indian Wells.
In a dramatic topsy-turvy clash, Zverev rallied from 2-5 to 6-5 in the second set but was unable to serve out the match. Griekspoor took full advantage of his let off, capitalising on uncharacteristic errors from Zverev in the second-set tie-break to level. He then himself recovered from failing to convert five match-point opportunities on serve at 6-5 in the third set, eventually earning a battling 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(4) win on his sixth match point.
With his mammoth three-hour, six-minute victory, Griekspoor secured his first Top 5 victory in his 19th attempt and improved to 2-6 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Zverev.
“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. “I played so many battles against him and had chances but they all went his way. I am incredibly proud of myself from this performance and to get it over the line.”
The Dutchman arrived in Indian Wells for the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the season in good form, having defeated World No. 6 Daniil Medvedev en route to the semi-finals in Dubai last month.
In a tense deciding set against Zverev, Griekspoor broke Zverev’s serve in the 11th game but then failed to close out on serve. He squandered five match points at 6-5, playing erratically in the key moments. With his chance seemingly gone, Griekspoor composed himself impressively in the third-set tie-break to eventually triumph. The Dutchman fell to his knees after victory and then raised to his feet to embrace the roars from the crowd.
“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.”
Having overcome Zverev, Griekspoor will aim to back up his standout win when he takes on Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the third round. The 29th seed led Fabian Marozsan 6-4 when the Hungarian was forced to retire.
On a day of upsets, American Marcos Giron shocked fourth seed Casper Ruud 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-2 to record his first Top 5 win and reach the third round in Indian Wells for the second time.
”That was an amazing win. It will be one I look back on with amazing memories,” Giron said. “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.”
Giron saved four set points on serve at 4-5 in the first set and was impressive behind his own delivery in the decider, winning 80 per cent (12/15) of his first-serve points in the third set, according to Infosys ATP Stats to advance after two hours and 40 minutes.
Giron celebrated in style following his victory, letting out a roar and leaping into the Californian sky. The 31-year-old will next face Alexei Popyrin after the Montreal champion beat Zizou Bergs 7-6(4), 7-5 for his second win of the season.
In other action, Tommy Paul brushed past American wild card Tristan Boyer 6-3, 6-1 to reach the third round for the fifth time. The 10th seed enjoyed a run to the semi-finals in California last year and is seeking his first Masters 1000 title this fortnight. Paul will next meet former champion Cameron Norrie after the Briton beat 23rd seed Jiri Lehecka 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Ugo Humbert also advanced, eliminating former quarter-finalist Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-3. The Frenchman will take on 12th seed Holger Rune or countryman Corentin Moutet in the third round.
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