American Round-Up: Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul impress as Giron stuns top-5 player

American stars Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul kicked off their Indian Wells campaigns with victories, but not all local players had the same luck during Friday's second-round action. Ashlyn Krueger battled but was not enough against Elina Svitolina, while Marcos Giron pulled off one of the upset of the day by knocking out world No. 2 Casper Ruud.

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ATP

The biggest home favourite on Friday was 10th seed Tommy Paul, who faced a fellow American wildcard after defeating Aleksandar Vukic in a marathon match (4-6, 6-2, 7-6). However, Paul’s experience proved too much, as he cruised past the young talent 6-3, 6-1. He will face Britain's Cameron Norrie in the third round.

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Another all-American clash saw Alex Michelsen take on little-known qualifier Colton Smith. Michelsen, the 31st seed, had little trouble securing a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Smith, who had impressed with a stunning comeback win against Flavio Cobolli in the previous round.

The biggest shock of the day came from Marcos Giron, who knocked out world No. 4 Casper Ruud. The American edged a thrilling first set, which proved decisive in his 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 triumph—the biggest win of his career and his first-ever victory over a top-5 player. It also marked his fifth win against a top-10 opponent.

WTA

World No. 4 Jessica Pegula, one of the top American hopes, made her tournament debut in the bottom half of the draw with a routine 6-4, 6-2 win over Magda Linette, avenging fellow American Peyton Stearns, who had fallen to Linette in the first round. Pegula’s trademark consistency was on display as she set up a third-round clash with Xinyu Wang.

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Wildcard Caroline Dolehide, who had already beaten Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets, continued her strong run by taking down lucky loser Eva Lys. Lys had entered the main draw at the last minute following Paula Badosa’s withdrawal due to injury but could not extend her stay. Dolehide secured her second consecutive victory at Indian Wells, matching her 2024 performance by reaching the third round, where she will face Marta Kostyuk.

Ashlyn Krueger, meanwhile, had a battle with Elina Svitolina, but it wasn't enough to give her an upset. Through a slow start, trailing 1-6, she took the second set to a tie-break. In the third she was unable to recover from a 1-5 deficit, and although she saved up to six match points, she ended up losing her serve and Svitolina saved an important confidence-boosting win.

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