Indian Wells: Stefanos Tsitsipas stunned by Jordan Thompson, Daniil Medvedev downs Brandon Nakashima to go 15 unbeaten
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Updated 11/03/2023 at 11:03 GMT
Stefanos Tsitsipas said before the tournament that he did not expect to make a deep run at Indian Wells this year due to a shoulder injury that saw him pull out of Acapulco last month. That proved to be the case as he was knocked out in the first match he played in California, falling to Jordan Thompson in three sets. Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev is keeping up his fine run of form in 2023.
Thompson seals dramatic three-set victory over 2nd seed Tsitsipas
No. 2 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has been knocked out of Indian Wells by Jordan Thompson in only the second round.
Thompson won the contest 7-6(0) 4-6 7-6(5) which denies Tsitsipas the opportunity to move up to No. 1 in the world rankings after this event and Miami.
Thompson, who recorded his first victory over Tsitsipas and the second win of his career over a top-10 player, was understandably delighted after the match.
“It’s unreal," Thompson said. "At a Masters 1000, in the [Indian Wells] Tennis Garden here.
“It’s one of my favourite tournaments, I think a lot of players’ favourite tournaments to play. To have a win like that is incredible. [I’m] really happy.
"I wanted to take control of my service points. Obviously, I can’t do much about his, he’s a big guy and he’s got a great serve.
"I wasn’t finding too much rhythm there on return towards the end but snuck one out. I stayed aggressive on serve and very thankful that last ball went wide.”
Thompson began the match strongly and dropped only two points on his serve in the opening set.
Tsitsipas pulled the second set back by restoring his break advantage in the third game and comfortably held his own service games to force a decider.
Thompson would not be deterred, though, and forced a tie-break in the third. Tsitsipas went a mini-break up on the first point of it, but Thompson responded with three points in a row before eventually winning it 7-5.
The world No. 87 will play qualifier Alejandro Tabilo in the next round following his win over Maxime Cressy.
Daniil Medvedev continued his fine form on the ATP tour this year with a 6-4 6-3 win over USA's Brandon Nakashima.
The No. 5 seed, who has won three consecutive titles and now 15 straight matches, saved all six break points he faced in the match and wrapped up the contest in one hour and 26 minutes.
"We had some good points," Medvedev said in his on-court interview. "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."
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Medvedev advances with 6-4 6-3 over Nakashima
Medvedev reinforced his point that the Stadium 1 court was playing slow.
"I feel like on such a court you cannot play your best tennis every point," the Russian added. "That's why [there are] so many break points for everybody and so many opportunities.
"At the end of the day, you have to play your best... He also played great points so it was a good battle, especially more in the second set I would say."
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