Alcaraz devours Kokkinakis in Indian Wells opener

Carlos Alcaraz started strong this Saturday on his way to lords Indian Wells 1,000defeating the Australian 6-3 and 6-3 Thanasi Kokkinakis advance to the third round of the tournament in which, if he is the champion, he will regain the first place in the world ranking. Murcian has not competed since the final of the tournament in Rio, when a hamstring injury it cost him defeat against the British Cameron Norrie, but the Murcian showed great signs in his debut in the Californian desert, where he was a semi-finalist last year.

He returned to the center court of Tennis Paradise, as the California club is known, and took an hour and 16 minutes to knock out Kokkinakis in their first meeting. Murcian experienced an incredible explosion last year after this tournament. He surrendered in the semi-final against his compatriot Rafael Nadal and would be crowned two weeks later in Miami with the first Masters 1000 of his career. His 2022 ended with five titles, the Masters 1000 in Miami and Madrid, tournaments in Rio and Barcelona and the icing on the cake in New York, when he lifted the first large his career and became number one in the world.

Alcaraz starts again, after 57 victories last year, and is the first favorite on the cement in Indian Wells in the absence of the Serbian Novak Djokovic, who could not enter the USA due to his refusal to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Wearing a pink T-shirt, yellow shorts and white trainers, Alcaraz was quick and needed just 33 minutes to take the first set 6-3 which only partly reflected his dominance on the court. He lost just one point on his serve and kept attacking, which allowed him to break on Kokkinakis’ first serve move.

His accelerations with the right, together with an excellent drop shot at 4-1 in the light, disarmed Kokkinakis and opened Murcia’s way to victory. Alcaraz forgave a break point early in the second set and clawed his way out of an awkward 30-30 gap on serve in the second game, allowing him to prevent Kokkinakis from regaining his confidence.

He did not forgive him a new break opportunity in the third game and sealed the ‘break’ that launched him towards victory. At 3-5 in the light, after holding his serves with authority, Alcaraz won three match points with Kokkinakis on serve. He missed the first two, but used the third and ended the game with an elegant volley.

“I love Indian Wells” [«Amo Indian Wells»]Murcian wrote to the camera at the end of his match, to thank the crowd in the stands who chanted his name several times during the match.

Alcaraz will face Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, 36th in the world, in the third round, who eliminated Argentinean Guido Pella this Saturday. in two sets decided on a tiebreak.

On the horizon, the Murcian has a date against a British veteran like Andy Murray or young talent Jack Draper.

Badosa wins the Spanish derby against Párrizas and meets Rybakin

Paul Bados won the derby against his compatriot Nuria Parrizas (6-2 and 6-3) and advanced to the third round of the tournament in Indian Wells, where they will compete against the Kazakh Elena Rybakina. Badosa, world number 22 and Indian Wells champion in 2021, needed one hour and 38 minutes to defeat Párrizas (No. 88) in their first match on the WTA circuit. The two Spanish players met only once, ten years ago in Sant Jordi, when Badosa won in two sets (7-5 ​​and 7-5).

Badosa started the match extremely aggressively and took the first set 6-2 without giving his opponent a chance to break. He appeared to be in complete control in the second set, leading 4-2 at the light, but had to suffer due to Párrizas’ proud reaction.

After several exchanges of breaks, Badosa was able to seal the score 7-5 and continue his journey in the Californian desert. Now she faces a demanding match against Rybakina, the tenth favorite, who defeated American Sofia Kenin 7-6(6) and 7-6(5) this Saturday.