World primary Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates on the best way to a second-round victory over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov at Indian Wells. Photograph: AFP
INDIAN WELLS:
World primary Carlos Alcaraz swept previous Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 to achieve the third spherical of the Indian Wells Masters on Saturday as Novak Djokovic battled again for a three-set victory over Kamil Majchrzak.
Spain’s Alcaraz was untroubled by the previous world quantity three from Bulgaria, pushing his good 2026 match document to 13-0 in simply 66 minutes.
Djokovic, a five-time Indian Wells champion who has struggled in recent times, needed to grind for 2 hours and 12 minutes to subdue 57th ranked Majchrzak of Poland 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Alcaraz stated he has been cautious of Dimitrov, however even within the swirling winds on Stadium Courtroom he was in management, firing from the baseline with energy and accuracy.
He barely broke sweat and cracked loads of smiles, saving the lone break level he confronted within the second set and even getting a high-five from his opponent on a changeover.
“I believe I performed nice,” stated the 22-year-old Spaniard, whose Australian Open triumph made him the youngest man to finish a profession Grand Slam.
“The circumstances weren’t simple, a whole lot of wind immediately. I am actually, actually completely happy simply that I used to be capable of do each objective that I arrange earlier than the match.”
Alcaraz, who adopted up his Melbourne triumph with a title in Doha, says Indian Wells is the right place to maintain the wins coming.
“I really like being right here a lot, I believe that is why I am simply enjoying relaxed, enjoying calm, chilling,” he stated.
Though he shares the document for many Indian Wells titles with Swiss nice Roger Federer, Djokovic has discovered the early stepping into California something however enjoyable in recent times.
That was true once more on Saturday, however the 38-year-old Serb famous person — again on court docket for the primary time since he fell to Alcaraz within the Australian Open closing — managed to flee with a win.
Majchrzak grabbed two fast breaks within the opening set earlier than Djokovic started to seek out his rhythm from the baseline and assert his superiority.
“5 weeks with no official match, I knew that the primary match in such a very long time might be a bit bit tough,” Djokovic stated.
“I felt like I needed to discover my A-game when it was most wanted, significantly the start of the third, which was the case,” Djokovic added after a match marked by prolonged, entertaining rallies that included a 40-ball alternate within the opening recreation of the third.
It was an particularly satisfying win for Djokovic, who misplaced his opener final yr to Dutch fortunate loser Botic van de Zandshculp and fell to fortunate loser Luca Nardi within the third spherical in 2024.
He hasn’t reached the quarter-finals right here since his final run to the title in 2016.
Draper rallies
Britain’s Jack Draper launched his title protection with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut.
Draper halted Alcaraz’s bid for a uncommon Indian Wells three-peat within the semi-finals final yr earlier than beating Holger Rune within the closing.
That victory launched his rise to fourth on the planet, earlier than an arm damage introduced his 2025 season to a untimely shut.
“To come back out and play the extent I am enjoying after the damage I had, I’m actually pleased with that,” Draper stated.
In different matches, unseeded Brazilian Joao Fonseca saved two match factors to take out Sixteenth-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4.
Seventh-seeded former champion Taylor Fritz squandered 4 match factors within the second set however held on for a 6-3, 6-7 (8/10), 6-1 victory over 87th-ranked Briton Jacob Fearnley.
