No. 2 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas knocked out of BNP Paribas Open in his first match
Tennis is a game of inches, and on Friday afternoon at the BNP Paribas Open, it was a game of millimeters.
Australian Jordan Thompson, No. 87 in the world rankings, upset No. 2-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6(0), 4-6, 7-6(5), and the final shot of the match struck by Tsitsipas was wide of the line by a microscopic amount. As the stadium screens that show close calls zoomed in, there was almost no separation between the ball and the line. But in this day and age, the computer doesn't lie, and Thompson emerged with a 7-5 win in the third-set tiebreaker. The victory was the second time in his career he's beaten a top-10 opponent.
"This is a big day in my career, it's been a long time between drinks," Thompson said, referring to his other top-10 win which came in 2017 against then-No. 1 Andy Murray. "It's incredible. I'm thankful that last ball was out. I thought it was in."
The win came in front of a large and boisterous crowd on Stadium 1 with both players imploring the estimated 12,000 patrons to roar throughout the match. Tsitsipas, in particular, riled the crowd up after tying the score at 6-6 in the third set and forcing the tiebreaker, waving his arms to encourage a loud cheer.
Thompson said he liked that moment, too.
"Yeah, I actually started laughing when he was doing that," Thompson said. "Not that it was funny that he was doing it. It's more the fact that, you know, we probably want to be in those situations. ... I want to be in these positions. I'm enjoying the battle. It's probably better to be that way than not."
The 28-year-old Thompson won the first set, also via tiebreak, though it was an unusual one. He beat the No. 2 seed 7-0 in the tiebreaker. Tsitsipas regrouped to get a break and take the second set, but Thompson wasn't phased and played toe-to-toe with the Greek star who made the Australian Open final in January.
Thompson said the win was right there in his mind with his stunner of Murray in 2017 in a Queen's Club grasscourt event.
"Yeah, actually couldn't tell you the difference. Yeah, both are probably equal," Thompson said. "That day against Andy Murray was probably a little bit unexpected because I was a Lucky Loser. Yeah, happened just to play an unbelievable match and I wasn't even supposed to be in the draw.
"Today was a little bit different," Thompson said. "You know, I have been on a bit of run of matches. I felt confident, even playing against a top-10 player I felt comfortable in my own skin and what I was doing, and just snuck out a win. It feels unbelievable as well. Yeah, two of my favorite victories."
The draw has now opened up for Thompson. He advances to play qualifier Alejandro Tabilo, who ousted No. 32 seed Max Cressy 7-6, 7-6 with the second tiebreaker going to 15-13. That match will be Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: BNP Paribas Open: Stefanos Tsitsipas ousted at Indian Wells by Jordan Thompson
