ATP Indian Wells Round-Up Day Six | Alcaraz rallies past Rinderknech, Michelsen ousts Fritz, Djokovic survives test

The third round at Indian Wells produced several high-profile results as Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Jack Draper and Casper Ruud all advanced, while one of the biggest surprises of the session came from Alex Michelsen. The American defeated Taylor Fritz in straight sets to eliminate the 2022 champion, while Alcaraz and Djokovic were both forced into deciding sets before progressing.

The results continue to shape the latter stages of the tournament, with defending champion Jack Draper keeping his title defence alive and Alcaraz extending his strong start to the season. Djokovic, a five-time champion in the California desert, also moved into the fourth round where he will face Draper, while Ruud and Alcaraz are now set for a high-profile clash in the next stage.

Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a slow start to defeat Arthur Rinderknech 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2 and secure his place in the fourth round. The Spaniard was forced to work hard against an opponent who relied heavily on his serve and aggressive net approaches during a tightly contested opening set.

Rinderknech applied early pressure behind a strong first serve, holding comfortably through most of the opener. The set eventually went to a tie-break, where the Frenchman initially led 5-2 before Alcaraz fought back to earn a set point. Rinderknech remained composed and closed the breaker by winning the final three points, taking the opening set.

Alcaraz gradually began to impose his baseline game in the second set. After an early exchange of breaks, the world No. 1 created sustained pressure on return and eventually secured the decisive break to move ahead 4-2. From that point on he controlled the rallies more effectively, using his forehand to dictate play and level the match.

The momentum shifted fully in the deciding set. Alcaraz broke immediately and later added a second break to build a double-break advantage. Despite Rinderknech’s continued serving power — finishing with 11 aces — the Spaniard’s consistency proved decisive.

Statistically, Alcaraz won 77% of his first-serve points and converted three of his four break points, while also dominating second-serve return points. The victory extends his winning streak to 14 consecutive matches to begin the season. Alcaraz now advances to the fourth round, where he will face Casper Ruud in one of the most anticipated matches of the next stage.

Novak Djokovic overcame a difficult test from Aleksandar Kovacevic to secure a 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 victory and reach the fourth round. The 24-time Grand Slam champion experienced significant momentum swings but ultimately relied on his experience in the deciding moments.

Djokovic controlled the opening set by securing the only break of serve early in the match. After taking a 2-1 lead, he maintained strong service games and conceded very little on return, allowing him to close the set 6-4.

However, the second set shifted dramatically. Kovacevic raised his level, particularly on serve, using his aggressive baseline hitting to push Djokovic behind the baseline. The American won the final three games of the set to claim it 6-1, forcing a deciding set and putting the favourite under pressure.

The third set remained evenly balanced, with both players holding serve comfortably through the early stages. Djokovic created two break opportunities early in the set but could not convert them, leaving the match level deep into the decider.

The decisive moment eventually came late in the set when Djokovic secured the crucial break that allowed him to serve out the match. Despite Kovacevic finishing with 16 aces and winning 74% of his first-serve points, Djokovic’s consistency on key points proved decisive. With the win, Djokovic advances to the fourth round at Indian Wells for the first time since 2017. He will next face defending champion Jack Draper.

Defending champion Jack Draper produced a composed performance to defeat Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 7-5 and continue his title defence. The British left-hander started strongly, taking control of the match early with aggressive baseline play. Draper secured an early break and quickly built momentum, dominating the rallies and capitalising on errors from Cerundolo to claim the first set comfortably.

The second set proved far more competitive. Cerundolo improved his consistency and broke early to move ahead before Draper responded with a break of his own. The Argentine later earned another break and even served for the set at 5-4, appearing close to forcing a decider.

However, Draper responded immediately, breaking straight back as Cerundolo struggled to close out the set. From there the Brit maintained pressure from the baseline and broke once more late in the set to seal the victory.

Statistically, Draper was particularly effective behind his first serve, winning 79% of those points and consistently applying pressure on Cerundolo’s second serve. His return game proved decisive during the closing stages. The result keeps Draper’s title defence alive and sets up a high-profile fourth-round meeting with Novak Djokovic.

Alex Michelsen produced one of the biggest surprises of the session by defeating Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-6(6) to advance to the fourth round. The 21-year-old American started the match confidently, securing an early break that proved decisive in the opening set. Michelsen maintained a high first-serve percentage and protected his advantage throughout the set, eventually closing it 6-4.

The second set remained tightly contested, with both players relying heavily on their serves. Michelsen appeared close to finishing the match when he served for it at 5-4, but Fritz responded under pressure and broke back to keep the contest alive.

The set ultimately moved into a tie-break, where Fritz even held a set point on serve. Michelsen, however, remained composed during the key moments and closed the match by winning the final three points.

Statistically, Michelsen saved seven of eight break points and won 57% of his second-serve points, an area where Fritz struggled. The American also maintained strong serving numbers throughout the match, finishing with nine aces. The result eliminates the 2022 Indian Wells champion and sends Michelsen into the fourth round, continuing the strongest Masters 1000 run of his career.

Casper Ruud completed a comeback victory over Valentin Vacherot, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round. Vacherot started strongly and claimed the opening set thanks to a late break, using his powerful serve effectively and finishing the set with 12 aces.

Ruud struggled to find rhythm early but gradually stabilised his baseline game in the second set. The Norwegian responded by improving his consistency and raising his first-serve percentage. After securing a key break, he levelled the match and forced a deciding set.

In the third set, Ruud made the decisive move early by breaking serve to take control. From that point onward he remained solid behind his own serve, winning 70% of his service points and allowing Vacherot just one break opportunity, which the Monegasque could not convert. The victory sends Ruud into the fourth round, where he will face Carlos Alcaraz in one of the standout matches of the next stage.

Daniil Medvedev advanced to the fourth round with a convincing 6-4, 6-0 victory over Sebastian Baez, finishing the match with a dominant second-set bagel. The Russian gradually took control after a competitive opening set before completely overwhelming the Argentine in the closing stages.

Medvedev secured the key break at 3-2 in the first set and eventually served it out despite Baez saving two set points on his serve. From the start of the second set, however, the two-time Indian Wells runner-up imposed himself fully, breaking early and extending the lead with another quick break to move ahead 4-0.

The statistics reflected Medvedev’s control. He won 76% of his first-serve points and saved all four break points he faced, while dominating on return against Baez’s second serve. With the win, Medvedev moves into the fourth round at Tennis Paradise where he will face Alex Michelsen, who earlier eliminated former champion Taylor Fritz.