Carlos Alcaraz continued his pursuit of a “three-peat” title at Indian Wells with a convincing 6-2, 6-4 victory over Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the third round. The second-seeded Spaniard showcased his skills, winning the first five games of the match and delivering more than ten winners in the first set alone. Despite Shapovalov’s recent success in Dallas, he struggled to match Alcaraz’s intensity.
Alcaraz dominated the second set, never facing a break point and wrapping up the match in less than 90 minutes with a powerful overhead smash. He now advances to the round of 16, where he will face either Grigor Dimitrov or Gael Monfils.
“I’m just really pleased with my performance today,” Alcaraz said, acknowledging a few areas for improvement but expressing overall satisfaction with his game.
Alcaraz is aiming to become the third man in history to win three consecutive titles at the Masters 1000 tournament, joining the ranks of legends Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who notably exited in the second round this year.
In women’s action, world number one Aryna Sabalenka showed her form by easily defeating Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 6-2, setting up a next match against British player Sonay Kartal. Sabalenka quickly found her rhythm, despite earlier struggles in other tournaments this season.
Additionally, the American contingent shined brightly as Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Taylor Fritz, and Ben Shelton each secured wins, energizing the home crowd. Gauff overcame late-game nerves against Maria Sakkari, winning 7-6(1), 6-2, despite a shaky serve, and will next meet Swiss player Belinda Bencic, whom she has previously beaten.
As the tournament progresses, countless matches promise thrilling encounters, showcasing resilience and determination among players ready to reclaim their legacies in the sport. This year’s Indian Wells appears to be a testament to the rising stars and seasoned champions of tennis alike.
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