Orange Crush: Alcaraz routs Dimitrov in flawless Indian Wells opener

  • Posted: Mar 08, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz continued his perfect start to the season on Saturday at the BNP Paribas Open, delivering a fittingly flawless performance to down Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3.

Sporting a bright-orange shirt with tangerine shorts — and a fresh fade haircut — Alcaraz was dominant from the baseline, beginning his Indian Wells campaign in the same form he produced to win the Australian Open and the ATP 500 event in Doha last month. A two-time Indian Wells champion, Alcaraz extended his winning streak to 13 matches.

“I knew it was going to be difficult with the conditions,” Alcaraz said following his second-round win. “His style is really, really dangerous and it’s always tough to control the ball when he steps on the court and he’s hitting his shots. With the wind today, it was even tougher and I think I adapted my game better and that’s why I took the match. In general, I’m really, really happy with the things that I’ve done today.”

Despite the challenge of blustery conditions across the desert, Alcaraz still struck his forehand with pinpoint accuracy and usual firepower. The 22-year-old’s confidence was nearly palpable as he cracked large smiles and looked at ease throughout the 66-minute match. After Alcaraz hammered a forehand winner to close the seventh game of the second set, Dimitrov met him with a high five during the changeover.

“I love playing here. I love being here so, so much,” Alcaraz said. “I think that’s why I’m playing relaxed, playing calm, chilling, trying to enjoy every time I step on the court.”

The World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings improved to 5-2 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against the Bulgarian, 12 years his senior. The former No. 3 has troubled the Spaniard before, notably defeating him two years ago in Miami, where Alcaraz hilariously said Dimitrov’s performance “made me feel like I’m 13 years old”. The fan favourites met in Indian Wells last year, with Alcaraz cruising to a 6-1, 6-1 win.

Into the third round, Alcaraz next faces 26th seed Arthur Rinderknech, against whom he holds a perfect 5-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head record. Rinderknech’s second-round opponent Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo withdrew due to a left leg injury, giving the Frenchman a walkover.

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