Carlos Alcaraz leaves Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal behind

Carlos Alcaraz is seeking his third consecutive Indian Wells crown this week. The 21-year-old hopes to join Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on the list of players with three straight titles in the desert. Before that, Carlos collected another notable record at the season’s first Masters 1000 event. 

The Spaniard is 18-2 in his opening 20 encounters in Tennis Paradise, becoming the first player to achieve that since the start of the Masters 1000 series in 1990! Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal stood on 17-3 at that checkpoint, and the young gun bested their record.

Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025

Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

An 18-year-old Alcaraz debuted at Indian Wells in October 2021. He fell in the second round to Andy Murray despite taking the opening set. With a losing start, Carlos has had to work hard to embrace an 18-2 score in the desert in the upcoming years. 

The Spaniard reached the semi-final in 2022, notching his first notable result at this event. He ousted four rivals in straight sets and arranged the semi-final clash with Rafael Nadal. They embraced a massive battle, and the more experienced Spaniard prevailed after three hours and 12 minutes!

Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025

Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

It remains Carlos’ most recent loss in Indian Wells! The young gun lifted a trophy in 2023 over Jack Draper, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev. The Spaniard toppled the Russian 6-3, 6-2 in the title clash for his first trophy in the desert. 

He embraced another great run last year, besting the rivals from the top and extending his streak. Carlos collected three straight top-6 wins over Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev to secure back-to-back Indian Wells crowns. 

Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025

Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Carlos beat Daniil 7-6, 6-1 for a 16-2 score in the desert. He increased it to 18-2 following two wins in this year’s campaign. The 21-year-old defeated Quentin Halys and Denis Shapovalov in straight sets, improving his winning streak at this tournament to 14.

The Spaniard did not lose a set in the opening two encounters, and he will be the favorite versus Grigor Dimitrov in the last 16. World no. 3 is chasing his first Masters 1000 in a year, lifting his fifth trophy in Indian Wells before losing ground a bit.

​Tennis World USA


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