Indian Wells 2025: Alcaraz storms into last 16, beats Shapovalov in straight sets

Carlos Alcaraz continued his dominant run at Indian Wells 2025 by securing a straight-sets victory over Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, booking his place in the last 16. The Spanish sensation, who entered the tournament as one of the top contenders, showcased his trademark intensity and baseline firepower to dispatch Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4 in just over 90 minutes.

From the outset, Alcaraz imposed his rhythm with aggressive shot-making and relentless pressure. His return game proved decisive early in the first set, breaking Shapovalov’s serve in the fourth game and maintaining that advantage with clinical precision. While the Canadian showed flashes of brilliance—particularly with his one-handed backhand and deft net play—he struggled with consistency, especially on second serves.

The second set was more tightly contested, but Alcaraz’s composure in the key moments once again made the difference. He broke at 4-4 after a grueling rally and closed out the match on serve with a flourish, drawing applause from the crowd for a breathtaking forehand winner on match point.

With this win, Alcaraz advances to the fourth round at Indian Wells for the third consecutive year, underlining his status as one of the sport’s most consistent performers on hard courts. The victory also improves his head-to-head record against Shapovalov, who has yet to defeat the Spaniard in their professional meetings.

Alcaraz now looks ahead to a potential clash with either Tommy Paul or Gaël Monfils, depending on the outcome of their upcoming match. Given his current form, the 21-year-old remains one of the favorites to lift the title in the desert. For Shapovalov, the loss marks another missed opportunity to gain traction in 2025, as he continues to search for momentum and stability on the ATP Tour.