Carlos Alcaraz wants to return to the top of the world rankings after Indian Wells, and the Iberian is one step closer to achieving that goal: he qualified for the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

Carlos Alcaraz in the third round at Indian Wells

Alcaraz, the main favorite of the competition from the California desert, defeated Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis (94 ATP) in two sets with the score 6-3, 6-3. The match lasted one hour and 17 minutes.

Carlos could take Novak Djokovic’s place at the top of the world rankings (the Serb was unable to travel to the US due to his lack of a Covid-19 vaccination), provided the Iberian wins the event in Indian Wells.

Taylor Fritz (4th favorite and defending champion), Holger Roon (7), Felix Auger-Aliassime (8), Hubert Gurkach (9), Yannick Sinner (11) also qualified for the third round at Indian Wells. Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka. The most important names to leave the competition on Saturday are Alex De Minaur (16), Borna Coric (18) and Daniel Evans (24).

Know:

• Alcaraz (2 ATP) will fight for a place in the 1/8 finals with Dutchman Tallon Grikspoor (36 ATP, 31st seed).

• The 2022 US Open champion, Carlos climbed to the top of the world rankings for the first time at just 19 years old.

• Alcaraz did not play at the Australian Open-2023, the Spaniard had health problems. In the current season, the Spaniard has 9 wins and one loss, this year he conquered the clay tournament in Buenos Aires.

>> Carlos Alcaraz’s trainer explains why the Iberian gets injured so often

Indian Wells, results registered on Saturday

Jack Draper – Daniel Evans (24) 6-4, 6-2

Felix Auger-Aliassime (8) – Pedro Martinez 7-6(5), 6-4

Yannick Sinner (11) – Richard Gasquet 6-3, 7-6(2)

Stan Wawrinka – Miomir Kecsmanovich (26) 7-6(8), 6-4

Alex Molkan – Borna Chorych (18) 6-3, 6-3

Tommy Paul (17) – Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-3

Marton Fuchovich – Alex De Minaur (16) 6-4, 6-2

Andy Murray – Radu Albot 6-4, 6-3

Francisco Cerundolo (27) – Jack Sock 4-6, 6-3, 6-4

Tallon Grixpur (31) – Guido Pella 7-6(3), 7-6(4)

Taylor Fritz (4) – Ben Shelton 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Adrian Mannarino – Lorenzo Musetti (19) 6-4, 6-4

Hubert Gurkach (9) – Oleksiy Popyrin 6-3, 6-3

Sebastian Baez (30) – Rinki Hijikata 6-3, 6-1

Runa Holger (7) – Mackenzie McDonald 7-5, 6-3

Carlos Alcaraz (1) – Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 6-3.

Indian Wells will be held from March 6-19 on hard and 96 players have started in the two main draws. The contest offers $8,800,000 each for men and women. Titled champions – Taylor Fritz and Iga Svyatek.