Carlos Alcaraz has reached the quarter final at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells for the second consecutive year. The 2022 US Open champion was leading 6-2 2-0 when his British opponent Jack Draper was forced to withdraw from the match with an abdominal injury.
Alcaraz started the match with an early break in the first game and saved three break points in his first service game from 0-40 to hold serve for 2-0. The Spaniard converted his second break point at deuce in the fifth game to open up a 4-1 lead and held his final service games at love to close out the first set 6-2. Alcaraz has notched the 101th tour-level win of his career.
Draper’s abdominal issue hampered his serve and won just one point in the first two games of the second set before retiring from the match.
“I felt the ball really well. I am really happy with that part of the match. I would say I returned well. I hit great shots. I finished the match with confidence in my shots, to come into the next round with more confidence”, said Alcaraz.
Alcaraz set up a quarter final match against Felix Auger Aliassime, who saved six match points to beat Tommy Paul.
The 19-year-old Spanish player won his 100th win of 132 matches with his victory over Tallon Griekspoor the previous day. Alcaraz is the second fastest ever player player ever to get to that milestone number, only behind US tennis legend John McEnroe.
“A lot has happened since that first ATP Tour. I am really happy to get my 100th win on the ATP Tour and I hope it’s the first 100 of many. Honestly I searched that stat today, but I didn’t know. I thought it was in the next round”, said Alcaraz.
