In a gripping encounter at the Indian Wells tournament, world number three, Carlos Alcaraz, once again demonstrated his tennis prowess. The two-time defending champion continued his impressive run, dispatching Frenchman Quentin Halys with a swift 6-4, 6-2 victory in under 70 minutes. His next opponent in the third round will be Denis Shapovalov.
Though Alcaraz’s service percentage was a mere 44%, he managed to compensate for this with an exceptional performance behind the line. The Spaniard proved steady, losing only a single point behind his initial serve and expertly fending off a potential break point.
Contrasting Alcaraz’s solid play, Halys grappled with the pressure of the match. Despite putting up a spirited fight, he faltered thrice in five break opportunities presented to him, leading to a premature exit in the second round.
In terms of gameplay, Alcaraz dominated Halys across all aspects of the match. The Spaniard, a four-time Major titleholder, amassed 24 winners and committed just 18 unforced errors, relegating his opponent to a 7:11 ratio. From the baseline, Alcaraz landed 20 service winners, effectively controlling the pace and outcome of the game.
The start of the match saw Halys staving off a break point, but he soon encountered difficulties at 1-1. Alcaraz seized upon the opportunity, creating two break opportunities and successfully converting the second one, securing an early lead in the game.
Alcaraz, unyielding in his game, held at 30 for a 3-1 lead, and further extended his advantage to 4-2. Despite the break setback, Halys managed to pull off three ‘holds at love’, staying within striking distance. However, Alcaraz remained unflustered, closing the eighth game with a service winner and served for the set at 5-4.
The second set was a similar story, with Alcaraz utterly dominating the game. He scarcely lost a point on his serve, systematically dismantling Halys’ resistance in the early stages of the set.
Halys faltered in the very first game of the second set, losing his serve. Alcaraz consolidated his lead with a service winner in the second game and followed up with a forehand crosscourt return winner in the next, earning another break point.
Demonstrating his skill with a backhand down the line winner, Alcaraz secured yet another break, taking a 3-0 lead. He maintained his momentum, holding at love with a powerful serve for a 4-0 advantage, while Halys managed comfortable holds in the fifth and seventh games.
Alcaraz, serving for the win at 5-2, held at 15 with an unreturned serve, clinching his victory and securing his place in the third round of the tournament. The young Spaniard’s triumphant campaign at Indian Wells continues, as he marches on with 13 consecutive wins under his belt.