Carlos Alcaraz defeats Grigor Dimitrov at Indian Wells, powers to 50th ATP Masters 1000 win
NEW DELHI: Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, put on a spectacular display at the ATP Indian Wells Masters on Wednesday, brushing aside Grigor Dimitrov with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory.
The world number three from Spain overcame strong winds on Stadium Court, showing composure and tactical brilliance to dispatch the Bulgarian in just 1 hour and 14 minutes.
Alcaraz Ends Dimitrov’s Streak, Achieves Milestone
With this win, Alcaraz denied Dimitrov the chance to join Felix Auger-Aliassime as the only players to defeat him in three consecutive meetings. The Bulgarian had previously gotten the better of Alcaraz in their last two encounters, including a quarter-final clash at the Miami Open last year.
Alcaraz’s triumph also marked his 50th ATP Masters 1000 match win, an impressive milestone in his young career. The Spaniard remains on track to achieve an elite feat, as he aims to join Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as the only men to win three consecutive Indian Wells titles.
Composed Amidst Chaos: Alcaraz Shines in Windy Conditions
The swirling desert winds posed a significant challenge on the court, making it difficult to maintain rhythm and control. The gusts were so strong that ball kids had to chase after trash blown onto the court, adding to the chaos.
Despite the conditions, Alcaraz remained unshaken. He broke Dimitrov’s serve immediately to set the tone for the match and never looked back. The first set was a masterclass of precision and patience, as the Spaniard dictated play with sharp groundstrokes and well-timed aggression.
In the second set, Dimitrov finally saw a glimmer of hope, earning his first break point in the fifth game. However, Alcaraz swiftly shut the door, firing an ace on Dimitrov’s third break chance to escape the threat.
From there, it was one-way traffic. Alcaraz broke Dimitrov once again to take a 5-1 lead, setting himself up to close out the match in style.
A Statement Win Ahead of Quarterfinal Clash with Cerúndolo
Alcaraz sealed victory in emphatic fashion, blasting his sixth ace to bring up match point before hammering a forehand winner to end the contest.
With this dominant performance, Alcaraz heads into the quarter-finals, where he will face Argentina’s Francisco Cerúndolo. Cerúndolo earned his spot by defeating Australia’s Alex de Minaur in straight sets 7-5, 6-3.
As Alcaraz continues his quest for a historic third consecutive Indian Wells title, he remains the player to beat in the California desert. Can he extend his winning streak and take one step closer to making history? The next chapter unfolds in the quarter-finals.