Indian Wells, California – Jannik Sinner began his quest for a maiden Indian Wells title in emphatic fashion on Thursday, dispatching Dalibor Svrcina 6-1, 6-1 in just over an hour. The victory marked Sinner’s return to Tennis Paradise after missing the 2025 tournament, and puts him one step closer to completing his collection of Masters 1000 titles on hard courts.
The match was largely one-sided, with Sinner quickly establishing control. After dropping the second game, he reeled off nine consecutive games, showcasing impressive form and a confident start to the tournament. Sinner punctuated the dominant performance with moments of brilliance, including a remarkable stretching forehand retrieval in the opening game of the second set.
“I like the way we are approaching the practices and the matches, it’s something I care a lot about,” Sinner said after the match. “I had the feeling of starting very well, and this gave me the confidence to continue. We had never faced each other before, so I had to understand a bit how his game was. He is very solid, moves well. I tried to move him as much as possible from the center of the court, and I perceive I served well in the important moments: that was a very positive aspect.”
The second round will present a tougher challenge for Sinner, as he’s scheduled to face Canada’s Denis Shapovalov. The head-to-head record between the two stands at 1-1, with both encounters taking place at Grand Slam events. Shapovalov secured a victory in the first round of the 2021 Australian Open, while Sinner avenged that loss – after dropping the first set – at the 2023 US Open. Sinner remembers the previous encounters well, stating, “It was tricky, and this will be a tough match too. I am still happy to be back here and I hope to be able to play good tennis. I always have to improve in some way, because everyone is changing small details, so I have to be very present in every training session. There are still some areas where I need to feel more confident, but at the same time I am very happy to compete, and that is the most important thing.”
The tournament wasn’t without its upsets for the Italian contingent. Lorenzo Musetti was eliminated in straight sets, falling to Marton Fucsovics 7-5, 6-1. Musetti, returning to competition after a break since the Australian Open, appeared below his best. Luciano Darderi is still in action, scheduled to play Rinky Hijikata, while Flavio Cobolli continued his strong form, defeating Miomir Kecmanovic in three sets, mirroring his victory over the same opponent last week in Acapulco.
Joining Sinner and Cobolli in the third round is Jasmine Paolini, who overcame a sluggish start to defeat Anastasia Potapova 6-7, 6-2, 6-3. Unfortunately, Matteo Berrettini’s campaign came to an end with a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Sascha Zverev.
Sinner’s dominant performance at Indian Wells signals his intent to contend for the title. With a favorable draw unfolding, and his form looking sharp, the Italian will be a strong favorite to advance deep into the tournament. The next challenge against Shapovalov will be a key test of his current level and a chance to build momentum as the tournament progresses.
The BNP Paribas Open continues with second-round action through the weekend. Fans can follow live scores and updates on the official tournament website and through various sports news outlets. Sinner’s next match against Shapovalov is scheduled for [verify and insert date/time/local venue time + UTC here if available].
