Carlos Alcaraz continued his perfect start to the season on Saturday and began potentially another run toward what would be a third title at Indian Wells.
Wearing an bright-orange shirt and tangerine shorts, Alcaraz, the top-ranked player in the world, quickly dispatched Grigor Dimitrov, 6-2, 6-3, in front of a packed crowd on Stadium Court. It was over in just over an hour.
“I think I played great,” Alcaraz said. “The conditions weren’t easy. A lot of wind today. So I’m just happy to get it in straight sets.”
The 22-year-old Spanish tennis star is now 13-0 this year, having already won the Australian Open and another tile in Doha prior to arriving at Indian Wells. He won titles at the BNP Paribas Open in 2023 and 2024 and reached the semifinals last year, losing to eventual winner Jack Draper.
After the win, Alcaraz told stadium announcer Andrew Krasny that playing in Indian Wells was the closest thing to home, outside of Spain. It helped that he had his friend, NBA star Jimmy Butler, in attendance for the match. Butler is out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season after having surgery for a torn ACL.
“He’s my guy,” Alcaraz said of Butler. “I knew that he was coming. He told me, no, I’m just doing my rehab, like, really close, so I’m going to show up to watch you. So, I was really happy that everything he’s been through with the rehab, with the knee, that he can show up and watch my match and have a little bit of time with him afterwards.”
Against Dimitrov, Alcaraz never flinched. He never lost his serve and looked completely in control from the baseline, whipping the ball with his dominating forehand through the entire match.
Alcaraz will now play Arthur Rinderknech of France on Monday. Rindernech won by way of walkover against Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina.
[This story has been updated to add new information.]
Andrew John covers the BNP Paribas Open for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Carlos Alcaraz remains unbeaten this season with win over Grigor Dimitrov
Reporting by Andrew John, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
