Carlos Alcaraz makes ‘survive’ admission after toppling Grigor Dimitrov at Indian Wells
World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz moved into the Indian Wells quarterfinals after a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Grigor Dimitrov.
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Carlos Alcaraz, Grigor Dimitrov (Image via X)
Carlos Alcaraz admitted after powering past Grigor Dimitrov that the windy conditions at Indian Wells made it difficult for him to play. On Wednesday (March 12), Alcaraz knocked out the Bulgarian 6-1, 6-1 in an hour and 14 minutes to move into the quarterfinals.
It was Alcaraz’s first win over the 33-year-old after two back-to-back defeats. Alcaraz has now improved his head-to-head record over the former World No.3 to 4-2.
It’s really difficult playing Grigor. He’s really talented. He can do whatever he wants with the ball. The last two times I lost against him. It’s always difficult. Today with the conditions…it was really tough for both of us. I had to survive. I always say in these conditions, you have to survive no matter what. I’m really happy I was able to play long rallies and got a good rhythm even with the conditions.
Carlos Alcaraz said during the on-court interview
Dimitrov was bidding to become the fourth man to register four or more wins against Alcaraz after Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Alexander Zverev. Had he won, he would have joined Felix Auger-Aliassime with three consecutive wins over the 21-year-old.
Carlos Alcaraz to lock horns with Francisco Cerundolo next
Carlos Alcaraz has set up a quarterfinal clash with Aregntina’s Francisco Cerundolo who knocked out Alex de Minaur in straight sets. The World No. 26 has been enjoying red-hot form since his Australian Open elimination in the third round.
He had decent campaigns in the Golden Swing, as he reached the final of the Argentina Open and the quarterfinal of the Rio Open. Then at the Chile Open, he progressed to the semifinals.
Cerundolo is a five-time Masters 1000 quarterfinals and is 13-13 against the top 10 players. Against the top 10 players, the 25th seed is also 6-1 in his last seven matches in the ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
He’s playing great. I’m not sure what surface is his favorite, whether clay or hardcourt, because he performs very well on both, also on grass. That means he’s a very complete player, excelling on all surfaces. He beat de Minaur very convincingly, a top-10 player. I watched the match.
Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference
The four-time Grand Slam champion has met the 26-year-old once on the ATP Tour. In last year’s Queen’s Club Championships, the Spaniard beat Cerundolo in the round of 32.
If Alcaraz reaches the final and wins the title, he cannot topple Jannik Sinner from the No.1 position and Alexander Zverev from the second spot. Alcaraz, however, will tie the Italian in first place in the ATP Live Race to Turin.
Carlos Alcaraz is a two-time defending champion at Indian Wells
Carlos Alcaraz came out on top of Daniil Medvedev in both the Indian Wells finals in 2023 and 2024. He is eyeing a three-peat in the California desert and if he wins the tournament, he will join Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the list of ATP players with three consecutive Indian Wells titles.
The Swiss maestro completed the feat from 2004-06, while the 24-time Grand Slam champion lifted the titles from 2014-16. Alcaraz will also become the first player born in 1991 or later to win an ATP tournament three times in a row.
The win over Grigor Dimitrov was Alcaraz’s 15th victory on the trot in the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the season. He is only behind Djokovic (19) and Federer (18). The Murcia-born is searching for his second title of the season following his victory at the Rotterdam Open where he registered his career’s first win on the indoor hard-court.
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