INDIAN WELLS (USA) (ITALPRESS) – It was not easy, but the verdict with surprise at the end did not arrive. The number 1 of the world suffered yes, but then found his tennis bending Arthur Rinderknech’s resistance. Carlos Alcaraz, therefore, approaches the eighth of Indian Wells by bending the French, 26th in the Atp ranking, with the score of 67(6) 63 62. Fifth year in a row to the eighth of the Bnp Paribas Open, the first Masters 1000 of the season, for Spanish. “In the first set and at the beginning of the second Arthur played his best tennis. For me it was really difficult – admitted Alcaraz -. I found myself in trouble, but I accepted it, I continued to struggle and tried to do something different. I think I started playing more solidly, waiting for my chances,” added the number 1 of the world, which ended up taking over despite a small fear of having misplaced the foot at the beginning of the second set that created an ankle discomfort. “In the third, however, I moved perfectly, I hope to feel tomorrow as if nothing happened”, his statements reported by Supertennis.
For a place in the quarters he will face the Norwegian Casper Ruud (13), who came to the eighth for the third time in his career in the tournament thanks to the rebound 36 63 64 on the Monegasco Valentin Vacherot (26). Eliminated Taylor Fritz (7), winner at Indian Wells in 2022, beat 64 76(6) in the derby against Alex Michelsen (44). “I played at a higher level than my average. That’s what you have to do to beat someone like Alex” said the twenty-one, who scored the third win in ten games played against Top 10 and now will face Daniil Medvedev (11), twice finalist at Indian Wells, who defeated 64 60 Argentine Sebastian Baez (53) becoming the first player to win 15 single games in 2026. A day to remember also for Australian Rinky Hijikata (117), who signed his first career win against a Top 10. After passing the qualifyings, in his first match in a third round of a Masters 1000 eliminated the kazako Alexander Bublik (10) 67(3) 76(3) 63. Next obstacle the British Cameron Norrie (29), winner in Indian Wells in 2021, who eliminated the Australian Alex de Minaur (6) imposing himself with a double 64. He scored the 13th victory against a Top 10 and reached the eighth for the fourth time in the tournament.
In the female board no problem for Iga Swiatek. The number 2 of the world defeated 63 62 former Greek Top 10 Maria Sakkari, today number 34, who had beaten in the final in 2022 and 2024. The Polish in the Californian desert feels at home: for her 24 wins in 27 games played in the tournament. Next opponent the Czech Karolina Muchova (13) who dismissed the Croatian Antonia Ruzic by granting her just three games (6-0 6-3). On the other hand, the defending champion Mirra Andreeva, number 8 Wta, surpassed by the Czech Katerina Siniakova (44) which was set with the score of 46 76(5) 63. Next challenge for Siniakova against Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (64 62 to the American Krueger). He advanced the number 5 of the world, Jessica Pegula, who beaten in three sets (46 63 62) the Latvian Jelena Ostapenko (26) and who now will see it with Belinda Bencic (12) who liquidated in two sets (62 63) the Belgian Elise Mertens (21). On the eighth, the British Sonay Kartal set in three sets on the American Madison Keys (15) and is now expected by number 3 of the world, the kazaka Elena Rybakina, who with a double 64 eliminated Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.
ERRANI/PAOLINI AI QUARTI IN DOPPIO
Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini scored double quarters in the Californian “1000” tournament. Blues (number 4 in double ranking) defeated 62 75 Chinese Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan, respectively 43 and 51 in the specialty ranking. Now they will face the Chinese Guo Hanyu and the French Kristina Mladenovic who won the title in Auckland and reached the eighth at the Australian Open.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
