Carlos Alcaraz will compete in the last 16 in Indian Wells. The two-time defending champion faced Denis Shapovalov in the third round and earned a 6-2, 6-4 victory in an hour and 23 minutes. Thus, the Spaniard extended his streak in the desert.
It was their second duel, and the Spaniard provided his second victory. Carlos claimed 12 points more than an in-form rival and controlled the scoreboard. Shapovalov barely served above 50%. He hit eight double faults and struggled behind the second serve.
The Canadian dropped 44% of the points in his games and suffered four breaks from eight opportunities offered to world no. 3. Alcaraz served better and denied three of four break points to maintain the pressure on the other side.
Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
Carlos his 16 winners and 24 unforced errors. He had the edge from the baseline and at the net, while welcoming 27 unforced errors from his rival. They stayed neck and neck in the shortest rallies up to four strokes. The Spaniard outplayed his rival in the mid-range and most advanced ones.
Alcaraz was off to a notable start, almost securing a bagel in the opener! He bounced back from 15-40 in the first game of the encounter and landed a forehand down the line winner on a break point for an early advantage.
Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
A left-hander struggled again in game three. He fell on the fourth break point after a forced error and found himself further behind. Carlos denied two break points in the fourth game and extended the gap to 4-0.
World no. 3 painted a forehand crosscourt winner in the fifth game, earning a break and moving 5-0 in front. The defending champion served for the opener in game six and earned two set points. Shapovalov denied them and pulled one break back after Alcaraz’s volley mistake at the net.
Carlos Alcaraz & Denis Shapovalov, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
Carlos served for the set for the second time at 5-2 and landed a crafty volley winner to wrap up the first part of the duel in 42 minutes. They served well in the first six games of the second set, with Denis raising his level and following the rival’s pace.
The Spaniard attacked on the return in the seventh game and drew the rival’s mistake for a break and a 4-3 advantage. He landed a service winner in the eighth game, moving 5-3 in front and keeping the pressure on the other side.
Shapovalov served to stay in the match in game nine and produced a hold at love to extend the battle. Alcaraz served for the win at 5-4 and held at love after drawing the rival’s mistake, sealing the deal in style and moving into the last 16.
Tennis World USA