Carlos Alcaraz pulls off a stunning victory against Roberto Bautista Agut at Indian Wells

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The 18-year old defeated the World No. 15 6-2, 6-0 to reach the Round of 16

Carlos Alcaraz stormed through to the next round of the Indian Wells Masters with a comprehensive straight-sets victory against fellow Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut.

Alcaraz has been very impressive in his brief career so far and this is another instance of him showing to the world that he is ready to challenge the big boys. In a match that lasted only 65 minutes, Alcaraz dropped only two games and completely outclassed his Davis Cup teammate. The teenager has had an amazing start to the season so far and presently maintains a 10-1 win record in 2022.

Alcaraz was very happy with the win and called it one of his best performances. “I trained with Roberto a lot. I knew that Roberto is playing really well. I mean, he got the title in Dubai“, said Alcaraz after the match. The 18-year old is now scheduled to face Gael Monfils in the next round, Monfils defeated no.2 seed Daniil Medvedev in an intense encounter. Speaking on the prospect of facing an in-form Monfils, Alcaraz said, “Gael is playing very very well. I mean he’s a really tough player. He has good speed, he has great shots as well. It’s going to be a really fun match.”

Is Carlos Alcaraz the dark horse at the Roland Garros?

Carlos Alcaraz is often compared to his idol, Rafael Nadal. Left-handed, Spanish, strong on clay surfaces – too much in common isn’t it? Well, there is definitely something more to it. The potential, the talent and the precise execution, Alcaraz has it in abundance. When you watch Alcaraz play, you can definitely relate him to Nadal in the early stages of his career. Alcaraz has been considered the next big thing in tennis for quite sometime now. Is Roland Garos finally the stage where Alcaraz put his name for reckoning along with the big boys?

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz in action at the 2021 US Open

Alcaraz won the Rio Open, a tournament played on clay surface, a good warm-up event leading to the Roland Garos which is played on clay surface. Alcaraz became the youngest ever ATP 500 champion after defeating Diego Schwartzmann 6-4, 6-2 in the final. Alcaraz though would need to be careful about his fitness leading to the second Grand Slam of the year. The Spaniard withdrew from the Acapulco Open in Mexico owing to a niggle he suffered post the Rio Open.

With the Roland Garros just two months away, the in-form teenager will definitely fancy his chances on his favourite clay surfaces of Paris.

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