Match Report
\n Shapovalov ‘had to come out on fire’ to beat Tsitsipas in battle of former Top-10 stars<\/p>\n
Shapovalov takes a 5-2 Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead against Tsitsipas<\/p>\n
March 05, 2026<\/p>\n
ATP Tour<\/p>\n
Denis Shapovalov celebrates during his three-set victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas Wednesday evening in Indian Wells.
\n By ATP Staff<\/p>\n
Denis Shapovalov<\/a>\u2019s reaction said it all Wednesday evening in Indian Wells. The Canadian was thrilled after battling past Stefanos Tsitsipas<\/a> 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 to win a clash of former Top-10 stars and reach the second round of the BNP Paribas Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cDefinitely never easy to draw a guy like Stefanos first round. I think for both of us it was a very tough matchup\u201d Shapovalov said in his post-match interview. \u201cI knew I had to come out and play my \u2018A game\u2019 and come out on fire. It\u2019s never easy to do that in the first rounds, but luckily I was able to do that today. Definitely very happy with the win.\u201d<\/p>\n The lefty walked on court in primetime with a 4-2 Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead against the former No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, who was unseeded at an ATP Masters 1000 tournament for the first time since 2018 in Cincinnati. Shapovalov powered to a 6-2 lead and broke Tsitsipas\u2019 serve immediately in the second set.<\/p>\n