Ukrainian tennis player Lesya Tsurenko defeated Croatia’s Donna Vekic in a Masters second round clash at the Indian Wells venue in the United States. The match swung back and forth, and the final result favored Tsurenko with set scores of 2:6, 6:2, 6:2. The early momentum belonged to Vekic, who claimed the first set decisively, but Tsurenko swung the momentum in the next two frames to secure the win and advance in the tournament.
After the deciding point, an uncomfortable moment unfolded on the court. Tsurenko celebrated quietly at the net as Vekic made her way toward the players’ area with her belongings, bypassing a post-match handshake on the net. Tsurenko approached the net, extended a hand in a customary gesture of sportsmanship, and then moved past without turning toward her opponent, a moment that drew audible reactions from the crowd and prompted mixed responses in the stands. The episode sparked discussion about sportsmanship and demeanor in high-stakes matches, a topic often highlighted in watchful fan communities and post-match summaries. According to observers and event officials, there was no formal complaint filed, but the moment was noted as part of the tournament atmosphere and the broader narrative of on-court conduct at Indian Wells.
Looking ahead, Tsurenko will face the winner of the later match between Arina Sobolenko of Belarus and Evgenia Rodina of Russia. The winner of that encounter will determine Tsurenko’s next opponent as the field progresses through the rounds. The Indian Wells Masters continues to attract a global audience, with top players from North America, Europe, and beyond competing for a share of the substantial prize fund and valuable ranking points. The event’s prize money stands at $8.8 million, underscoring the high stakes and international interest in the tournament while contributing to the season-long performance narratives for players from the region and around the world.
In related action, Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk faced a post-match moment of handshake protocol that sparked discussion after the latest United States event, as she did not shake hands with Russian opponent Varvara Gracheva following the final point. The incident has been discussed in media roundups and fan forums as part of ongoing conversations about sportsmanship, protocol, and the emotional toll of late-stage events on players from different regions. Each tournament often includes moments that become talking points beyond the scoreline, shaping public perceptions of players and the sport itself. For fans and analysts, these episodes add color to the competitive narrative and fuel ongoing dialogue about professionalism, respect, and the human side of elite tennis.