Indian Wells shake-up: Top seeds and fan favorites fall early

Major upsets see Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Emma Raducanu, and Ons Jabeur exit early, shaking up the Indian Wells tournament landscape so far. 

The 2025 Indian Wells tournament has seen a flurry of unexpected exits, as several high-profile players crashed out in the early rounds, opening the door for new contenders.

Zverev’s Early Departure

Alexander Zverev was stunned in his opening match by Tallon Griekspoor, falling 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(4) after three hours and seven minutes. The German, a top seed in the tournament, struggled with his first serve and failed to capitalize on crucial moments. Griekspoor, meanwhile, played fearlessly, securing his first career win over a top-five player.

Ruud Falls to Giron

Casper Ruud also suffered an early defeat, losing to American Marcos Giron 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-2. Despite a solid second set, Ruud couldn’t withstand Giron’s aggressive play in the decider. The win marked one of Giron’s biggest victories and continued his strong form on home soil.

Raducanu’s Return Cut Short

Emma Raducanu’s return to Indian Wells ended abruptly, as she was knocked out in straight sets. The 2021 US Open champion has struggled with injuries and coaching changes in recent years, and her early exit highlights the ongoing challenges she faces in regaining top form.

Jabeur Outplayed by Yastremska

Ons Jabeur, a fan favorite and former finalist, was handed a surprising 6-3, 6-1 defeat by Dayana Yastremska. The Tunisian, still searching for consistency this season, was outgunned by the Ukrainian’s powerful baseline play.

Inside the Baseline…

Indian Wells has a way of exposing vulnerabilities, and this year’s early exits prove that no one is safe. Zverev, Ruud, Raducanu, and Jabeur all walked in with different expectations but left with the same disappointment and searching for answers. Whether it was Zverev’s inconsistency, Ruud’s struggles on hard courts, Raducanu’s ongoing battle for form, or Jabeur’s lack of rhythm, each loss felt like a reality check. Tennis moves fast, and for these players, the frustration of an early exit will either fuel a turnaround or signal deeper problems. Right now, their seasons feel uncertain, and Indian Wells just made that clearer.

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