ALCARAZ DOMINATES TO REACH INDIAN WELLS THIRD ROUND WHILE DJOKOVIC EDGES THROUGH
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By: Fasasi Hammad
World number one Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the third round of the Indian Wells Masters on Saturday with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 victory over Grigor Dimitrov, while Novak Djokovic had to rally from a set down to defeat Kamil Majchrzak in three sets.
The Spanish star needed just 66 minutes to overcome the former world number three from Bulgaria, extending his flawless 2026 record to 13 wins without a loss.
Djokovic, a five-time Indian Wells champion who has struggled at the tournament in recent seasons, was forced to battle for two hours and 12 minutes before overcoming Poland’s 57th-ranked Majchrzak 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Despite being cautious about Dimitrov’s threat, Alcaraz controlled the match even in the windy conditions on Stadium Court, dictating play from the baseline with both power and precision.
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The 22-year-old looked relaxed throughout, saving the only break point he faced in the second set and even sharing a friendly high-five with Dimitrov during a changeover.
“I think I played great,” Alcaraz said. “The conditions were not easy with the wind, but I’m really happy I was able to execute everything I planned before the match.”
Alcaraz, whose Australian Open victory made him the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam, said he enjoys competing in Indian Wells and feels comfortable playing there.
“I love being here so much. That’s why I’m playing relaxed and calm,” he added.
Djokovic, who shares the record for most Indian Wells titles with Roger Federer, has found the tournament challenging in recent years. However, the 38-year-old Serbian managed to grind out a win in his first match since losing to Alcaraz in the Australian Open final.
Majchrzak made a strong start, breaking Djokovic twice to claim the opening set before the Serbian found his rhythm and took control of the match.
“After five weeks without playing an official match, I knew the first one would be tricky,” Djokovic said.
“I had to find my best level at key moments, especially at the start of the third set,” he added, referring to a match that featured several long rallies, including a 40-shot exchange early in the final set.
The victory was particularly satisfying for Djokovic, who has suffered early exits in recent appearances at the tournament. Last year, he lost in the opening round to Dutch lucky loser Botic van de Zandschulp, and in 2024 he was knocked out in the third round by Luca Nardi. Djokovic has not reached the quarter-finals at Indian Wells since winning the title in 2016.
Meanwhile, Jack Draper began his title defence with a comeback victory over Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Draper famously ended Alcaraz’s attempt to win three straight Indian Wells titles in last year’s semi-finals before defeating Holger Rune in the final. That triumph helped him rise to world number four before an arm injury cut short his 2025 season.
“To come back and play at this level after the injury makes me really proud,” Draper said.
Elsewhere, Brazil’s Joao Fonseca saved two match points to defeat 16th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4.
Seventh seed and former champion Taylor Fritz also advanced, overcoming Britain’s Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-7 (8/10), 6-1 despite squandering four match points in the second set.
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