The Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov,—more for what he imagined he could do than for what he has actually achieved, which in reality is not little—quickly senses where the shots are going to go again. From one year to the next, already seen: there in front, a serious, electric and plugged-in Alcaraz shakes the ball again, resolving the duel with the usual determination, without hesitation, hegemonic. Overwhelming. The number one, 22 years old, certified 6-2 and 6-3 in just 66 minutes and will meet Arthur Rinderknech on Monday, whom he has defeated in the previous five.
“This tournament is going very well for me, since the first time I came here,” recalls the winner, referring especially to the victories he obtained. That apparently the speed of the track has increased significantly? It doesn’t matter, given what we’ve seen. Just like yesterday, Alcaraz showers the Coachella Valley desert with wonderful balls, mostly loaded with gunpowder in abundance and with all the intention. At one point in the second set, the ball has not yet spit the cement into the pot and Dimitrov, always gentlemanly, is already applauding him. Simply unattainable. Simply wonderful.
From Australia to Doha and from there to California, a common thread: victory. Alcaraz chains already 13, so he is four of the best sequences (17) that Pete Sampras and Roger Federer signed at the beginning of the season. “The wind complicates everything and I knew that Grigor is always very dangerous, but I have been able to adapt my game and I am very happy with how things have turned out for me today,” says the one from El Palmar, neat from all angles: the shot, the serve and the conversion. Three breaks give him the quick pass and the Bulgarian’s gesture becomes twisted because in the only option he has, he hits tamely towards the middle of the net.
The moment corresponds to the seventh game of the second set. And there, definitely, the match ends for him because Alcaraz does not let up a hair and continues floating on the rough and grainy surface of Indian Wells, the stage that he likes so much: . Of course, there is also a guest who comes and goes, called the wind, which greatly complicates the trajectories and frequently turns the game into an exercise in both precision and intuition. The Spaniard has plenty of mobility and sense of smell, who in turn already has 30 wins on hard courts and outdoors. He hasn’t fallen under that context since he lost to David Goffin in Miami, a little over a year ago.
On this occasion, Dimitrov does not really worry him at any time. Called to be a figure, the Bulgarian at least has the consolation of having established his own and recognizable identity, with exquisite and equally explosive tennis, but also with . Dogged in recent times by injuries and currently installed in the 42nd place of the circuit, he leaves having at least taken three more games from the current leader than a year ago. Undeniable and undefeated, Alcaraz maintains the course and the rhythm, trusting once again in the bite.
DJOKOVIC, FROM VOMITING TO COME BACK
A. C.
Rinderknech awaits Alcaraz in the next round, with whom he already ran into recently in Doha. The Frenchman (30 years old and 28th in the world) did not even need to jump onto the court, since his opponent, Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, abandoned beforehand.
Novak Djokovic, for his part, managed to right himself after a crooked start against Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak. Finally, the champion of 24 majors won 4-6, 6-1 and 6-2 (in 2h 12m), and will face Aleksandar Kovacevic (72nd) in the third round.
Nole suffered a slight illness after an exchange of 40 blows and competed with a protective mesh on his right arm due to discomfort that became palpable during the match. However, it was masterfully remade.
This Sunday’s day also saw the elimination of the Cantabrian Cristina Bucsa (6-2 and 6-3 in favor of Elise Mertens) and another goodbye, that of Roberto Bautista (3-6, 6-3 and 6-2 for Jack Draper). Elena Rybakina advanced (6-2 double to Hailey Baptiste) and Mirra Andreeva endorsed a 6-0 double to Solana Sierra.
This month we intervened Aryna Sabalenka (Jaqueline Cristian), Jannik Sinner (Denis Shapovalov), Coco Gauff (Alexandra Eala) and João Fonseca (Tommy Paul), among others.
