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Carlos Alcaraz defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-4 to book his spot in the pre-quarters at Indian Wells.
Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells (X)
Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz continued his march toward a rare Indian Wells ATP Masters three-peat with a clinical 6-2, 6-4 victory over in-form Canadian Denis Shapovalov on Monday.
The world number three from Spain, the highest ranked player left in the draw after the second-round exit of No. 2 Alexander Zverev, leapt out of the gate, breaking Shapovalov in the opening game with a blistering forehand down the line as he roared to a 5-0 lead.
He saved three of the four break points he faced and converted four of his eight chances, sealing the match after an hour and 24 minutes with an overhead that Shapovalov could barely get his racquet to.
“I know he started the season really strong, showing really good tennis with the title in Dallas, playing good tennis in Acapulco, so I knew that I had to start the match really strong, really focused on my things, on the level,” Alcaraz said.
He said he was dialed-in from the start, aiming to “play good rallies at the beginning just to get the good rhythm.
“Just really happy with the way that I started the match,” he said.
The 21-year-old is trying to join Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as the only men to win three straight titles in the California desert.
He will face either Grigor Dimitrov or Gael Monfils for a place in the quarter-finals.
Alcaraz Buzzed
A group of about 10 fans sported yellow and black striped costumes and made buzzing sounds in support of Alcaraz during his victory.
The Spaniard said he spotted them when they were shown on the big scoreboard.
“It helped me a lot because you know during the whole first set I was looking at them and laughing,” he said with a big grin. “And I always say that when I’m laughing, when I’m having fun on the court I show good tennis.
“So probably thanks to them I could show good tennis,” added Alcaraz, who said he first became aware of the group during the second game of the match.
“It was funny. I took a selfie with them at the end, because I think they deserve it.”
Last year Alcaraz’s quarter-final against Alexander Zverev was halted abruptly as swarming bees drove the players from Stadium Court.
Alcaraz was stung, swatting the insects away in alarm before seeking shelter.
The bees swarmed the remote-controled “spider cam” and the umpire’s chair and there was a 45-minute delay before bee keeper Lance Davis arrived and vacuumed up the bees to release them elsewhere, allowing the match to continue.
Davis’s work had already been noted this year — he performed the ceremonial coin toss before Alcaraz’s opening match.
“When I saw him I was laughing,” Alcaraz said. “It has been a funny thing.”
(With inputs from Agencies)
- Location :
California, USA
