With world number one Jannik Sinner out of the game due to a three-month doping ban, Alexander Zverev was the highest ranked player ahead of the tournament in California.
He also became the first top-ranked male player to lose his opening match at Indian Wells since 2017. Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor took the win instead with 4–6, 7–6 (5), 7–6(4).
A sensational win for Griekspoor, who had previously lost five straight matches against the German.
I've fought so many times against him and had chances, but they all went his way, says the 28-year-old winner after the match.
I'm incredibly proud of myself.
Alexander Zverev acknowledges that his opponent played a good match – and that he himself is not where he wants to be right now.
I always have to fight against him. He's a complicated player for me, even when I win, because many of them are close matches, he says.
