Indian Wells, CA – Jannik Sinner’s foray into doubles at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open concluded swiftly on Monday, as he and American partner Reilly Opelka fell to the top-seeded duo of Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos. The experienced Spanish-Argentine pairing proved too strong, securing a 6-4, 6-4 victory in a match that, despite the result, showcased moments of skillful play and camaraderie on the court.
The pairing of Sinner, currently ranked No. 2 in the world in singles, and Opelka represented a reunion of sorts. The two previously teamed up to win the Atlanta title in 2021, and Sinner revealed he initiated the effort to play together again at Indian Wells. “I like to play doubles with someone I feel very comfortable with off the court, due to the fact that I need to have fun when I play doubles,” Sinner explained in a Tennis Channel interview, as reported by the ATP Tour. The ATP Tour detailed Sinner’s rationale, emphasizing the importance of doubles as a means to relax and function on specific aspects of his game without the intense pressure of singles competition.
Sinner and Opelka’s Doubles Campaign Cut Short
Facing Granollers and Zeballos, ranked No. 3 and No. 2 respectively in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings, presented a significant challenge from the outset. The top seeds had already demonstrated strong form this season, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and the final in Dallas. The match itself was closely contested, particularly in the early stages, but the greater experience of the Spanish-Argentine team ultimately proved decisive.
According to reporting from La Milano Sport, Granollers and Zeballos secured a break in the fifth game of the first set, providing the cushion they needed to close it out 6-4. The second set saw Sinner and Opelka with an opportunity to shift the momentum, but a crucial passing shot from Sinner landed in the net, preventing a break. Zeballos and Granollers then capitalized on a break point on Opelka’s serve, extending their lead and ultimately serving out the match.
A Return to Doubles for Sinner
This marked Sinner’s return to doubles action since partnering with Lorenzo Sonego at Halle 2025. The decision to team up with Opelka at Indian Wells was a deliberate one, leveraging their previous success together. Their 2021 Atlanta title remains their sole achievement as a doubles pairing to date. The tournament provided a valuable opportunity for Sinner to experience a different dynamic on the court, offering a break from the individual demands of his singles campaign.
Despite the doubles defeat, Sinner’s singles performance at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open remains strong. He advanced to the last 16 after comfortably defeating Dalibor Svrcina and Denis Shapovalov, losing only seven games in the process. Opelka also saw action in the singles draw, defeating Ethan Quinn in the opening round before falling to Ben Shelton in three sets on Friday.
Granollers and Zeballos Continue Strong Form
For Granollers and Zeballos, the victory represents a continuation of their impressive form in 2026. Their strong showing at the Australian Open and in Dallas highlighted their status as one of the leading doubles teams on the ATP Tour. The pair’s experience and consistency proved too much for Sinner and Opelka to overcome in their opening match at Indian Wells. They will now advance to the next round, continuing their pursuit of the title.
The doubles draw at Indian Wells this year featured several notable pairings, including Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas, demonstrating the tournament’s appeal to top singles players seeking additional competitive opportunities. Tennis.com noted that Venus Williams was also in attendance to watch the match between Sinner and Opelka.
Looking Ahead
While Sinner’s doubles run at Indian Wells has ended, his focus now shifts back to his singles campaign. He will aim to build on his strong start and continue his pursuit of the title. Granollers and Zeballos will look to maintain their momentum as they navigate the remainder of the doubles draw. The 2026 BNP Paribas Open continues to deliver compelling action for tennis fans worldwide.
The next scheduled update regarding Sinner’s performance will come following his round of 16 singles match. Fans can follow live scores and updates on the official ATP Tour website: www.atptour.com.
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