Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova are both out at Indian Wells, as the two defending champions were both upset in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on Monday.
Nadal and Sharapova Out, Both Defending Champs Fall At Indian Wells
The day of upsets took place on centre court. In the afternoon, Sharapova went down to qualifier Camila Giorgi, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. It was the first victory over a top-5 ranked player for the young Italian, and could be a major building block for her career. Later, despite a furious attempt at a third set comeback from being 5-2 (and one break) down. Nadal fell to Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov by a final score of 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5).
”I had enough breaks to win the match, but I didn’t play enough well from the baseline then to be solid with my serve,” Nadal said. ”I didn’t go for the points. I played with too many mistakes.”
Dolgopolov won despite having more errors (49) than winners (36). Still, anytime you can beat the number one player in the world, it really doesn’t matter how you do it. Dolgopov got revenge after losing in the finals to Nadal in Rio earlier this year.
”It’s a moment for the people to be proud a little bit for someone from their country,” Dolgopolov said, referring to the political upheaval going on between Ukraine and Russia. ”It’s good to make some results and make the people forget a little bit and have some happy moments in the news.”
In the earlier match, it was Sharapova’s errors that cost her. Her 58 errors overall compounded to give the Russian her first loss to a player ranked outside the top 30 since her upset last year at Wimbledon.
”She’s someone that doesn’t give you much rhythm,” Sharapova said. ”She’s quite aggressive, but some shots she hits incredible for a long period of time. Sometimes they go off a bit. If I’m speaking about my level, it was nowhere near where it should have been.”
”I was trying to just play my game, and maybe I accelerate more than the other set,” Giorgi said. ”I just play more aggressive.”
Looking at other big name players in action, Stan Warwinka, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, and Canadian Milos Raonic all advanced on the men’s side. While Li Na, and Canadian Alexandra Wozniak advanced on the Women’s side on Monday. Wozniak will met Na in the next round.
Canadian Eugenie Bouchard advanced to the round of 16 on Sunday with a win over No. 10 ranked Sara Erraini of Italy. She will face No. 7 Simona Halep of Romania.
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