By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday, March 7, 2025
Indian Wells, California – Marcos Giron, a proud Southern California native, has long envisioned stepping onto the iconic courts of the BNP Paribas Open. As a child, he would gaze in awe at the legendary figures of tennis like Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka, watching them battle it out on the grand showcase.
Today, he stepped into the spotlight himself, achieving a historic milestone by securing his first career victory against a Top-5 opponent. He triumphed over fifth-ranked Casper Ruud with scores of 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-2 to advance to the third round.
“Defeating a top-5 player for the first time here at home is simply incredible. This tournament holds cherished memories from my childhood, watching legends like Federer, Nadal, and Wawrinka,” Giron expressed with gratitude. “To play on those coveted courts and achieve this victory is surreal.”
Giron’s remarkable performance was punctuated by his powerful forehand, which recorded 25 errors, outpacing Ruud’s total by eight. The 31-year-old American is set to face Alexei Popyrin in the upcoming third round.
First top 5 win + at home = 🥰#TennisParadise | #MarcosGiron pic.twitter.com/GG0Bp9j7NX
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 8, 2025
This was an extraordinary achievement for Giron, particularly considering he had previously struggled against Top 5 players, having lost his first 23 sets against them. Ruud is also no stranger to Indian Wells; this marks his second consecutive trip to the third round, where he previously made waves in 2019 as a qualifier ranked No. 217.
“My game has evolved significantly since then,” Ruud reflected. “I now possess a greater arsenal and, importantly, a deeper belief in my abilities.”
“Back then, I was still convincing myself I could compete at this level, pulling off victories I once doubted were possible. But for the past five years, I’ve engaged exclusively in ATP events, facing the best in the game week in and week out. This has instilled a robust confidence and enhanced my track record against top players.”
“This victory stands out as my best based on ranking, and it holds even greater significance here at home.”
