Carlos Alcaraz Produces Commanding Performance To Overcome Shapovalov In Indian Wells
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Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz's quest for a third consecutive title at the Indian Wells Open continued with a comfortable victory against Denis Shapovalov.
Alcaraz started his campaign with a routine win against Quentin Halys. The Spaniard was not near his vintage best against the Frenchman, but that did stop him from winning 6-4, 6-2 without any problems.
Shapovalov's recent form made him among the most challenging third-round opponents Alcaraz could have gotten on paper. A few weeks ago, he won the most significant title of his career at the 2025 Dallas Open.
The Canadian backed that up by reaching the semifinal of the 2025 Mexican Open, which occurred the week before the 2025 Indian Wells Open began. Shapovalov beat Adam Walton in the opening round to set up the match with Alcaraz.
Although Shapovalov's form made challenging Alcaraz not an impossibility, the two-time champion's comfort in the conditions meant the underdog's serve needed to be firing from the start.
Unfortunately, that was not the case for Shapovalov in the first set. He competed pretty well during the rallies, but Alcaraz's complete game from the back of the court and the net made getting free points essential.
Shapovalov's inability to do that meant he was always up against it in the opening set. Alcaraz did not need another invitation and piled the pressure on his opponent with relentless hitting off both wings, leading to many thrilling rallies.
Despite the Dallas Open champion not playing badly, Alcaraz's superb level meant he still broke three times to take a 5-0 lead. Shapovalov's level got better throughout the set, and he produced some superb shotmaking to create break point chances in the fourth game, but he could not break.
Alcaraz's level finally dropped slightly when serving for the set. He had two opportunities to take it 6-0, but made unforced errors on both points before dumping a volley into the net, allowing Shapovalov to get on the scoreboard.
Shapovalov then held to love in the following game before Alcaraz awoke from his mini slumber to hold serve and take the set 6-2. Despite the final scoreline, there were at least some hopeful signs for the Canadian heading into the next set.
Better serving in the first half of the second set meant it was more consistently competitive than the first. Shapovalov held his service games pretty easily, but did not make any inroads on Alcaraz's serve.
Unfortunately for Shapovalov, his serve suddenly unraveled at 3-3. The 25-year-old hit a few double faults and missed several first serves to give Alcaraz a chance, which he duly took to get what proved to be the decisive break.
Shapovalov held one more time at 3-5, but it only delayed Alcaraz's victory. The match finished 6-2, 6-4 in the Spaniard's favor, and he will take great encouragement from a better performance than the previous round.
Alcaraz will face Gael Monfils or Grigor Dimitrov in the next round. Both men have beaten him in the past, but the young star will deservedly start as the significant favorite again, regardless of who he plays.
