Carlos Alcaraz extended his winning streak in Tennis Paradise! World no. 3 faced Francisco Cerundolo in the Indian Wells quarter-final and earned a 6-3, 7-6 victory in an hour and 43 minutes. Thus, the Spaniard notched his 16th consecutive win in the desert.
Alcaraz claimed three straight games in the opener and overcame a 4-1 deficit in set number two to seal the deal and arrange the semi-final clash with his good friend, Jack Draper. Carlos clinched 16 points more than Francisco.
The Spaniard outplayed his rival behind the first and second serve, although he faced nine break points. The four-time Major winner defended eight and seized two of three break chances to make the difference.
Sweet sixteen 😀@carlosalcaraz collects his 16th Indian Wells win in a row as he defeats Cerundolo 6-3 7-6 🔥#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/uNqUfZcxY6
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 14, 2025
World no. 3 hit 23 winners and 27 unforced errors, while his rival stood on a 17-33 ratio. Carlos hit more service winners and bested his opponent at the net. Alcaraz had to dig deep early on, saving three break points in the first game of the duel and another at 1-1.
Cerundolo denied a break point in the fourth game and made another push on the return at 2-2. Struggling a bit in cold and windy conditions, Alcaraz hit a double fault in the fifth game and offered his rival two break chances.
Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
The young gun denied them and brought the game home with a service winner. World no. 3 fired a powerful forehand down the line winner in the seventh game, holding at love and making a push on the return in the next one.
Cerundolo faced break points when his forehand landed long, and Alcaraz converted the first with a drop shot winner that sent him 5-3 in front. Carlos served for the opener in game nine and drew the rival’s mistake for 6-3 in 44 minutes.
Francisco claimed an entertaining point in the fourth game of the second set and landed a forehand down the line winner for a break and a 3-1 advantage. The Argentine held in the next one with a backhand winner, cementing the advantage and moving 4-1 in front.
Francisco Cerundolo, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz pulled the break back in game seven and landed winners in the next one for a hold at love and 4-4. The Spaniard held after a deuce in game ten to prolong the set and closed the 12th game at 30 to introduce a tie break. Francisco hit a double fault in the first point.
The defending champion landed two winners for 3-0 and grabbed another mini-break in the fifth point after the rival’s loose forehand. World no. 3 moved 5-2 in front and before Cerundolo responded with a forehand down the line winner in the ninth point for 4-5.
Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz attacked in the tenth point and generated two match points. He landed a service winner on the first, moving over the top and reaching his fourth consecutive Indian Wells semi-final.
Tennis World USA