In Indian Wells, the Spaniard needs just two more wins to claim his third title in a row. Boris Becker once failed in this endeavor.
Carlos Alcaraz has extended his streak in Indian Wells and is just two wins away from matching two legends of tennis history at the ATP Masters. The 21-year-old Spaniard won his quarter-final against Argentina’s Francisco Cerúndolo 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) – the third title in a row in the California desert beckons.
Only Roger Federer (2004 to 2006) and Novak Djokovic (2014 to 2016) have managed a hat-trick in Indian Wells so far. In 1989, Boris Becker, as a two-time titleholder and the number one seed, was knocked out in the second round by Jay Berger of the United States (1:6, 1:6).
Alcaraz developed a great winning mentality early in his career, which has already distinguished the sport’s icons. “Tennis is about getting the win,” he said after beating Cerúndolo: “I didn’t hit the ball as well as I did yesterday, for example, but I just did what I had to do. That’s what tennis is about.”
Alcaraz will now face Britain’s Jack Draper, who won his quarter-final against Ben Shelton (USA) 6-4, 7-5. In the second semi-final, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev will play against Holger Rune. The Dane defeated Tallon Griekspoor (Netherlands), who knocked out top-seeded Alexander Zverev of Hamburg in the second round.
In the women’s semi-finals, there will be a repeat of the Australian Open final: Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will have the chance for revenge against Melbourne winner Madison Keys (USA). Iga Swiatek (Poland) and Russian Mirra Andreyev will also play for a place in the final.
