ATP Indian Wells: Carlos Alcaraz downs Denis Shapovalov

Carlos Alcaraz will compete within the final 16 in Indian Wells. The 2-time defending champion confronted Denis Shapovalov within the third spherical and earned a 6-2, 6-4 victory in an hour and 23 minutes. Thus, the Spaniard prolonged his streak within the desert. 

It was their second duel, and the Spaniard supplied his second victory. Carlos claimed 12 factors greater than an in-form rival and managed the scoreboard. Shapovalov barely served above 50%. He hit eight double faults and struggled behind the second serve. 

The Canadian dropped 44% of the factors in his video games and suffered 4 breaks from eight alternatives provided to world no. 3. Alcaraz served higher and denied three of 4 break factors to take care of the stress on the opposite facet. 

Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Carlos his 16 winners and 24 unforced errors. He had the sting from the baseline and on the web, whereas welcoming 27 unforced errors from his rival. They stayed neck and neck within the shortest rallies as much as 4 strokes. The Spaniard outplayed his rival within the mid-range and most superior ones. 

Alcaraz was off to a notable begin, virtually securing a bagel within the opener! He bounced again from 15-40 within the first recreation of the encounter and landed a forehand down the road winner on a break level for an early benefit.

Carlos Alcaraz, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

A left-hander struggled once more in recreation three. He fell on the fourth break level after a compelled error and located himself additional behind. Carlos denied two break factors within the fourth recreation and prolonged the hole to 4-0.

World no. 3 painted a forehand crosscourt winner within the fifth recreation, incomes a break and shifting 5-0 in entrance. The defending champion served for the opener in recreation six and earned two set factors. Shapovalov denied them and pulled one break again after Alcaraz’s volley mistake on the web. 

Carlos Alcaraz & Denis Shapovalov, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Carlos served for the set for the second time at 5-2 and landed a artful volley winner to wrap up the primary a part of the duel in 42 minutes. They served properly within the first six video games of the second set, with Denis elevating his degree and following the rival’s tempo. 

The Spaniard attacked on the return within the seventh recreation and drew the rival’s mistake for a break and a 4-3 benefit. He landed a service winner within the eighth recreation, shifting 5-3 in entrance and protecting the stress on the opposite facet. 

Shapovalov served to remain within the match in recreation 9 and produced a maintain at love to increase the battle. Alcaraz served for the win at 5-4 and held at love after drawing the rival’s mistake, sealing the deal in model and shifting into the final 16.