Shapovalov stuns Tsitsipas in Indian Wells opener as former Top-10 clash turns into three-set fight
shapovalov handed Stefanos Tsitsipas a first-round defeat at Indian Wells on Wednesday (ET), sending a jolt through the opening day at the Masters 1000 event in California. The former world number three arrived needing a morale-boosting run after sliding outside the ATP’s top 40 for the first time since May 2018, but the tournament began with another setback. Tsitsipas’ loss also marked his third straight defeat, with the match swinging across three sets before it was settled.
Shapovalov delivers a topsy-turvy three-set win
The match turned into a momentum-heavy contest, ending 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in favor of Denis shapovalov. Tsitsipas took the second set to level the match after dropping the opener, but the Canadian regrouped in the decider to close it out and move on from the first round in California.
The result lands at a difficult moment for Tsitsipas, whose ranking slide has already been underlined by his exit from the ATP’s top 40—something that had not happened since May 2018. Indian Wells was positioned as a chance to reverse that trend, yet Wednesday’s outcome extended a losing streak instead of stopping it.
Other men’s results: Fonseca battles through; Berrettini survives near three-hour test
Elsewhere in the men’s draw at Indian Wells on Wednesday (ET), Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca came through a tight match against Raphael Collignon, winning 7-6, 6-4. In another early-round grind, Matteo Berrettini recovered from a set down to defeat Adrian Mannarino 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 in just under three hours.
Several other notable names also advanced to the second round, including Gael Monfils, Jenson Brooksby, and Gabriel Diallo, keeping the day’s storyline split between high-profile progress and high-profile disappointment.
Women’s draw: Andreescu, Stephens, and Badosa exit; Yastremska advances
On the women’s side in California on Wednesday (ET), 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu—playing on a wildcard—was beaten in three sets by Kamilla Rakhimova, 6-7, 6-0, 6-1. Sloane Stephens and Paula Badosa also went out at the first hurdle.
Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, meanwhile, produced a composed performance to defeat Shuai Zhang 6-3, 6-2, stepping cleanly into the next round as some bigger names fell early.
What’s next
With opening-day results already reshaping expectations, the immediate focus now turns to who can build momentum in the next round—and whether Tsitsipas can halt a skid that has now stretched to three straight defeats. For the men’s bracket in particular, the takeaway from Wednesday (ET) is clear: shapovalov has moved on, and Indian Wells is already demanding sharp starts from even the most recognizable names.
