Carlos Alcaraz Battles Through Terrific Match To Reach Another Indian Wells Semifinal
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Carlos Alcaraz had to overcome a stiff challenge from Francisco Cerundolo to keep his hopes of a third consecutive Indian Wells Open title alive.
The four-time Grand Slam champion came into the match on a 15-match winning streak in Indian Wells. His last defeat at the Masters 1000 tournament was a 2022 semifinal defeat to Rafael Nadal.
Alcaraz's reaching the quarterfinal surprised few, but his level in the last round against Grigor Dimitrov was incredible even by his high standards. He dropped just two games during a blistering display of hitting.
Cerundolo was the most surprising ATP quarterfinalist in this year's tournament. His run included a victory against Alex de Minaur in the round of 16. His formidable forehand fired consistently, leaving the Australian stunned.
That win did not change the fact Cerundolo was a huge underdog against Alcaraz. However, the Argentine showed how determined he was to give the Spaniard a serious test from the start of the contest.
Cerundolo immediately went 0-40 up in the opening game of the match on Alcaraz's serve, but the former ATP world No. 1 recovered to hold despite how much pressure he was under.
That pattern continued in Alcaraz's next two service games. Cerundolo had one break point at 1-1 and two more at 2-2, but the 21-year-old managed to dig himself out of those holes, leaving the Argentine at 0/6 for break points in the set.
It felt like a sucker punch might be coming after Cerundolo could not break, and that is precisely what happened. His level dropped for the first time in the match and Alcaraz took advantage to take a 5-3 lead.
Alcaraz served it out to win the opening set 6-3. After falling a set behind despite playing an excellent set, there was a danger of Cerundolo's level dropping significantly as a result of that disappointment.
Instead, Cerundolo got even better in the opening half of the second set. Both men displayed incredible athleticism and shot making, including an absolutely outrageous volley drop shot from Alcaraz that spun out of his opponent's reach.
But Cerundolo matched Alcaraz blow for blow and finally got his reward in the fourth game of the set. After the 2022 US Open winner saved two break points at 0-40 with two big serves, Cerundolo won a grueling rally to take a 3-1 lead.
The 25th seed took a commanding lead when he won his next service game, but Alcaraz came roaring back. He cupped his ear to the crowd after one incredible rally that ended with him hitting a volley on the stretch that left the fans on their feet.
Alcaraz broke back in the seventh game and held for 4-4. Cerundolo responded with some good serving to halt his electric opponent's momentum and leave him one game away from leveling the contest.
The two-time defending champion got pushed to deuce at 4-5, but the set was ultimately decided on a tiebreak. Cerundolo made the worst possible start with a double fault and then fell 0-3 behind after two accurate first serves from the Spaniard.
Alcaraz got another mini-break to go 4-1 up. He gave the Argentine a glimmer of hope with a double fault at 4-2 and Cerundolo kept his hopes alive with an outstanding passing shot at 3-5 down.
However, Alcaraz showed his champion's mentality in the end, winning the next two points to take the tiebreak 7-4 and progress to the semifinal with a 6-3, 7-6 victory.
Alcaraz admitted before the match that he feels unbeatable in Indian Wells and he needed that belief against Cerundolo. The fan favorite will face Jack Draper for a place in a third consecutive final at the tournament.
