Indian Wells tennis tournament. Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz is pictured in California on March 16, 2023.
Indian Wells (USA) – Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz knocked out Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals of the tournament in Indian Wells, and after winning 6:4, 6:4, he is two wins away from returning to the world throne. At the head of the ATP rankings, he could once again replace the Serbian Novak Djokovic, who cannot start in the Californian desert due to the lack of vaccination against the coronavirus.
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Photo gallery: Tennis tournaments 2023
Both stars of the rising generation presented a captivating spectacle full of attractive exchanges. In the fourth mutual duel, 19-year-old Alcaraz finally got his first win, defeating an opponent who was three years older after a two-hour fight. In the semi-finals, he will face Italian Jannik Sinner, who knocked out defending champion Taylor Fritz 6:4, 4:6, 6:4.
Last year's US Open winner Alcaraz is trying to emulate tennis giants Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who were successful on the ATP circuit after a medical break. In his first start of the season after three months of treatment for his abdominal muscles, the Spaniard won the title less than four weeks ago in Buenos Aires, then reached the final in Rio de Janeiro.
“I watched the big players, Djokovic or Rafa, when they were coming back after the injury, after that break, they had an excellent percentage success in winning titles,” Alcaraz said. “I watched them when I was injured and preparing. They motivated me to play well in the first tournaments after the injury,” he added.
If Alcaraz wins the title in Indian Wells as well, it can only happen second tennis player to win at least three Masters tournaments as a teenager. In his collection, he already has trophies from Miami and Madrid from last year. Nadal has won six before his twenties.
Indian Wells Men's and Women's Tennis Tournament (Hard Court):
Men ($10,143,750 Endowment):
Singles – quarterfinals:
Alcaraz (1-Sp.) – Auger-Aliassime (8-Can.) 6:4, 6:4, Sinner ( 11-It.) – Fritz (4-USA) 6:4, 4:6, 6:4.
