(Indian Wells) First surprise in Indian Wells: Stefanos Tsitsipas, obviously diminished by a painful shoulder, took the door as soon as he entered the running on Friday, Casper Ruud and Aryna Sabalenka calmly succeeding in their debut to advance to 3e round.

The Greek, 3e world, fought back, but was defeated 7-6 (7/0), 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) by Jordan Thompson (87e), after 2:36 of a very tight match, without managing to raise his level in the key moments.

Except during the second set, where Tsitsipas deceived, it was on the contrary the Australian who made the difference each time in the tie-breaks.

Very easily in the first, offered on a set by his opponent, author of numerous unforced errors. More hooked in the third, during which the native of Sydney was still the most solid, while taking advantage of a final mistake by the opponent to conclude on his first opportunity to end it.

“I’m relieved that the last ball came out, I thought it was in,” said Thompson, very happy with his second victory against a player from the top 10. The first, against Andy Murray at Queen’s, dates back to 2017.

Ruud without shaking


PHOTO JONATHAN HUI, USA TODAY SPORTS

Casper Ruud

The poor performance of Tsitsipas, who never passed the quarterfinal stage in the Californian desert, can find its explanation in this painful right shoulder which forced him to forfeit last week in Acapulco. He did not show the tone or the fluidity that usually characterizes his game.

The Greek now has two weeks to fully recover, in view of the Miami tournament.

For Thompson, who had dismissed the French Gaël Monfils in the previous round, the adventure continues, with a 3e round against the American Maxime Cressy (37e) or the Chilean Alejandro Tabilo (187e).

Earlier, Casper Ruud (4e) had no trouble reaching this stage, beating Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman (38e).

In search of confidence after a disappointing start to the year, marked by an elimination at 2e round of the Australian Open, he found an opponent going through an even more complicated period, with some personal problems to manage, and only one victory in seven games in the racket.

Under these conditions, it was the Norwegian, finalist at Roland-Garros and at the United States Open last year, who showed more serenity, without skipping over the debates, to take his revenge on the Argentinian who had beaten him in 8e of the event in 2021.

Expeditious Sabalenka


PHOTO KARIM SAHIB, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Anyna Sabalenka

“I’ve lost to him a lot of other times so you really have to be focused and play your best game. Avoid making too many unforced errors because that’s how he’ll beat you,” commented to hot Ruud, now trailing 5-4 in their confrontations.

The Norwegian will face the Chilean Cristian Garin, winner 6-4, 6-0 of the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka.

Another easily qualified, Cameron Norrie (12e), winner in 2021, who disposed 6-2, 6-4 of the modest Taiwanese Tung-Lin Wu (175e).

Later Daniil Medvedev (6e), one of the main favourites, will compete against the American Brandon Nakashima (48e). The Russian remains on three titles in a row in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai. A series of 14 victories, which he hopes to continue in Indian Wells where he has never exceeded 8e of final.

Among women, Aryna Sabalenka (2e), winner of her first Major in January at the Australian Open, started her tournament in an expeditious fashion, crushing 6-2, 6-0 Evgeniya Rodina (427e).

Aggressive, solid, confident, the Belarusian had no trouble discouraging, in just over an hour, the Russian, who was playing her eighth match since returning to competition at the US Open in 2022, after almost three years of absence.

Sabalenka will face Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko (95e) to 3e round.