Jordan Thompson upset Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (7-0) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) to advance to the third round at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
This defeat has ended Tsitsipas’ chances of reaching the world number 1 spot after the Sunshine Double tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.
Thompson dropped just two points on serve en route to winning the first set in the tie-break.
Thompson hit 11 aces with no double faults. The Australian player hit consecutive aces to draw level to 3-3 after six games. He won 12 of the 13 points played on his serve. Tsitsipas used forehand volleys to save the second break point holding serve for 5-4. Thompson won 24 of his first 26 service points forcing the first set to the tie-break.
Thompson earned the first mini-break on the first point of the tie-break, as Tsitsipas netted a forehand. Thompson reeled off 10 consecutive points to take the first set, when Tsitsipas hit a forehand into the net.
Thompson won 28 of his 30 points on his serve and hit six aces against no double faults in the first set.
Both players traded breaks at the start of the second set. Tsitsipas hit a lob return to earn a second straight break for 2-1. Tsitsipas served out the second set at love to seal the second set forcing the match to the decider after 97 minutes.
Thompson fended off a break point in the first game of the third set and rallied from 0-30 down to hold serve for 2-1. Tsitsipas hit two aces to draw level to 3-3. Tsitsipas fell behind 4-5 but he drew level to 5-5 with a diagonal forehand.
Tsitsipas earned an early mini-break on the first point of the deciding set tie-break and led 2-1 and 4-3, but he slammed a forehand into the net to give Thompson a match point. Thompson sealed the win when a forehand from Tsitsipas landed just wide on the first match point.
Thompson scored his second top 10 win. He had lost his previous two head-to-head matches in Washington 2022 and at Wimbledon 2022.
“It’s unreal. At a Masters 1000 in the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. 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 am really happy. I wanted to take control of my service points. Obviously, I can’t do much about his, he is a big guy and he has a great serve. I wasn’t finding much rhythm on return towards the end but snuck one out. I stayed aggressive on serve and very thankful that last ball went wide”, said Thompson.
