A superb Alcaraz knocks down Aliassime and reaches the semifinals of Indian Wells
Carlos Alcaraz is already in the semifinals of Indian Wells. He defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime by a double 6-4 in two hours of combat. The rival in the semifinals will be Jannick Sinner, who beat Taylor Fritz 6-4, 4-6 and 6-4. The Italian was able to take advantage of the physical breakdown suffered by the defending champion in the third set to meet the Spaniard. It will be the fourth duel between the two with a face to face, 2-2, in which there has been everything. Alcaraz won on the indoor hard court of Paris-Berçy and in the unforgettable quarterfinal match of the US Open last year. Sinner claimed victory at Wimbledon and on clay at Umag.
The Alcaraz-Aliassime is on its way to becoming a classic on the circuit in the next 10-12 years. Until now Carlitos did not know what it was to win against the Canadian. The previous three had ended with Felix's victory. In the quarterfinals of the US Open in 2021, the Murcian had to retire. In Davis last year and in the Basel semifinals, the outcome was the same. That is why it was about ending the streak and the Spaniard had his best game in Indian Wells. And that Aliassime also played a lot.
After not being able to specify the first break opportunities, Juan Carlos Ferrero said from his box: "If the opportunity goes, we continue, nothing happens". And it didn't happen. Half a dozen break balls had to arrive for Alcaraz to complete a break that would pave the way for him and cast doubt on Aliassime's service. Games with his serve took forever to resolve. From the 10-12 minutes of the fight, it was seen and not seen in the services of the Spanish. The only doubt came in the tenth game when Carlitos served to win the set. He gave up a break ball, but resolved it with his usual naturalness. Nothing to cut or a conservative game. His cheerful tennis, on the attack, at times almost suicidal, stifled the danger. And with an explosive right from the bottom of the track he confirmed the authority that his game transmitted.
The feeling of dominance continued when he raised a 40-15 lead in the first game of the second set to add a new break. The coldness with which the Canadian acts helped him not to collapse and continue in the fight. He responded to the break with his first break and saved two break points in the third game. Deactivated that threat began to grow from his service. The problems experienced until then with the release of him disappeared. And as Alcaraz continued to do his thing, the exchange of blows was of an outstanding level. Until the ninth game when Alcaraz's tennis caused another three break balls. The third came after a masterful volley that overwhelmed the Canadian and he felt overwhelmed. With the serve to close the game, Carlitos sealed the pass to the semifinal against Sinner.
In the other they will face the American Frances Tiafoe with the most fit player on the circuit, Daniil Medvedev. The Russian has 18 consecutive victories. The last one came against Davidovich-Fokina. And in Indian Wells he has performed after winning titles in Rotterdam, Dubai and Qatar.
Swiatek-Rybakina and Sabalenka-Sakkari, in the women's draw
the polish Iga Swiatekworld number one and current Indian Wells champion, will face the Kazakh Elena Rybakina in semifinals. Swiatek easily beat the Romanian Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 22 minutes. Rybakina had more work in her quarterfinals and defeated the Czech Karolina Muchova 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 6-4 in two hours and 46 minutes. The Pole will thus seek revenge against Rybakina, who eliminated her in the round of 16 of the last edition of the Australian Open by a double 6-4. Rybakina, number 10 in the world, reached the final in Australia, where she lost to the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka. Precisely Sabalenka, number two in the world ranking, will be another of the protagonists of the semifinals together with the Greek Maria Sakkari. Sabalenka topped Coco Gauff, the USA's last hope in the women's competition, on Wednesday by winning an uncontested 6-4, 6-0 in one hour and 5 minutes. Her rival in the semifinals will be sakkari, who came back from the Czech Petra Kvitova 4-6, 7-5 and 6-1 in two hours and 46 minutes. The Greek, who occupies the seventh position in the ranking, was a finalist in the Californian desert tournament last year, where she lost in the title match against Swiatek.
