(Video) Carlos Alcaraz shows insane reflexes to hit stunning backhand against Denis Shapovalov at Indian Wells

Carlos Alcaraz is chasing his second title of the season at the Indian Wells Open, where he breezed into the fourth round.

(Video) Carlos Alcaraz shows insane reflexes to hit stunning backhand against Denis Shapovalov at Indian Wells

Carlos Alcaraz hits an outrageous shot at Indian Wells (Image via ATP/X)

Carlos Alcaraz has been making huge strides toward his third consecutive Indian Wells title. On Monday (March 10), Alcaraz secured a comprehensive 6-2, 6-4 win over Denis Shapovalov in the third round.

During the match, the four-time Grand Slam champion displayed great reflexes to win a point in the second game of the first set. Shapovalov was leading 1-0 and was 30-40 in the second set when Alcaraz produced a stunning backhand.

YouTube video

Alcaraz served, and the Canadian ace was successful in returning it. One of Shapovalov’s shots landed near the net and Alcaraz scurried toward it, stretched his arm, and almost tumbled on the ground, but not before hitting the shot. The next thing he did was hit a winner at the net and take the set.

FS Video

Watch the video here:

Alcaraz is now 18-2 at Indian Wells and is only behind Jimmy Connors, who was 19-1 in his first 20 matches in the tournament. He also extended his winning streak to 14 at Indian Wells and is eyeing a historic three-peat in the first ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the season.

Carlos Alcaraz says he suffers from nerves during first matches

Carlos Alcaraz started his campaign in the California desert against Quentin Halys, clinching a 6-4, 6-2 win. It marked the first match Alcaraz played since his quarterfinal exit at the Qatar Open. Alcaraz suffered from nerves during his Indian Wells opener; but as the tournament progressed, he was able to play without that extra pressure.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via ATP/X)

Nerves are a good thing. But today I didn’t feel it as much as in the first round. I was more relaxed. I was calm. I could think much better. I think every player has nerves at the start of the match. It’s about how you control it. So I think today and in the first round, I did it pretty well. Hopefully, I’ll continue like this.

Carlos Alcaraz said during his on-court interview

Alcaraz’s fourth-round opponent is 14th-seed Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian was on the verge of defeat against Gael Monfils in the third round but despite a niggle on his left hand, he battled past the Frenchman 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(2) to set up the clash with Alcaraz.

Alcaraz has met the former World No. 3 five times on the ATP Tour but is 2-3 in the head-to-head meetings. Dimitrov, however, has clinched victories the last two times they faced each other, in the 2023 Shanghai Masters fourth round and the 2024 Miami Open quarterfinals.