Quentin Halys is gearing up for a showdown with Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish tennis prodigy, at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Halys, who has been displaying an impressive form in tennis recently, has the potential to pose a serious challenge to Alcaraz. Despite Alcaraz’s sterling record of winning the past two editions of this tournament, the seemingly subtle changes to the court surface might just throw him off balance in this encounter.
Alcaraz, the world number 3, has been relentlessly honing his skills in preparation for the tournament. Despite the organizers’ decision to modify the court after a 25-year stint, Alcaraz feels confident, having not noticed significant differences in his practice sessions. His 2025 performance, however, has been a mixed bag. While he clinched the title at Rotterdam ATP 500, his journey at the Doha ATP 500 ended abruptly in the quarterfinals, courtesy of Czech tennis star, Jiri Lehecka.
Halys, on the other hand, has been on a roll. The French tennis player, who made it to the semifinals in Dubai, is now preparing for his debut in the season’s first Masters 1000. Before his match against Alcaraz, Halys notched a clear-cut victory over Spanish veteran Pablo Carreno Busta.
Halys, while acknowledging Alcaraz’s formidable forehand, pointed out that the key to defeating the former world number 1 lies in tactical brilliance and aggression. Halys noted, “Alcaraz has a formidable forehand, with the ability to shoot winners from every corner of the court”. He further added, “I must ensure not to expose myself to his strategies, and prevent him from dominating the rallies. Alcaraz is versatile, but his backhand could be his Achilles heel. If I can strategically exploit that, I stand a chance to win”.
The 21-year-old Alcaraz from Murcia is eyeing to become the third player in the Open Era to win this trophy three times consecutively, following in the footsteps of tennis legends Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. The young Spanish champion is known to relish the Indian Wells atmosphere, where he often indulges in golf sessions with his team.
This forthcoming face-off between Alcaraz and Halys at the BNP Paribas Open promises to be a thrilling spectacle for tennis aficionados worldwide.