Top seed Carlos Alcaraz and Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime will do battle in the California desert for a spot in the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters on Thursday night. The winner faces either Taylor Fritz or Jannik Sinner.
Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz had the tennis world buzzing in 2022 when the 19 year-old won the U.S. Open and became the youngest-ever world No. 1. Unfortunately a leg injury just before the Australian Open knocked him out of the first Grand Slam of this year. He came back for two clay events in South America, winning the first one in Buenos Aires over Cameron Norrie and losing the second in Rio de Janeiro–also against Norrie.
Alcaraz came out of Rio with a concerning hamstring injury, but ahead of the BNP Paribas Open he reported, “Today was the first practice that I practiced with some players, some points. I feel great. I took some days off and it was really good for me. Right now I’m ready.”
And ready he has been.
Alcaraz has been efficient this week, even with a tricky draw that included the big-hitting Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, red-hot Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, and rising British star Jack Draper. The world No. 2 hasn’t dropped a set yet, although Draper was forced to retire with an abdominal injury in their round-of-16 match. The gritty, slow courts in Indian Wells suit Alcaraz’s game. Last year he made his first deep run at a Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells. He reached the semifinals but lost in three to Rafael Nadal on a wild, windy, injury-plagued night.
World No. 10 Felix Auger-Aliassime has endured a lackluster start to the 2023 season. The popular Canadian has no titles yet this year, but he was unfortunate to run into Daniil Medvedev two tournaments in a row. He got through his first two matches this week in straight sets, but he spent two hours and 46 minutes on court to battle past American Tommy Paul on Tuesday night.
Auger-Aliassime holds a 3-0 record over Alcaraz, but that might not be particularly relevant in Thursday’s match. Current form puts favor firmly on the Spaniard’s side, and the court speed will give Alcaraz plenty of time to display his world-class retrieval skills.
Cheryl pick: Alcaraz in 3
Ricky pick: Alcaraz in 2
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Alcaraz plenty of time to display his world-class retrieval skills.
So world class, it put him out of the sport for 6 months.
Great win for FAA over TP, but Alcaraz wins….in 2.