"I need to win these types of matches if I want to return to the Top 10": Denis Shapovalov relishes challenge of facing Carlos Alcaraz

Denis Shapovalov previews his Indian Wells third-round clash against Carlos Alcaraz. The Canadian will be a tough challenge for the two-time defending champion, especially as he seems to have rediscovered his form in 2025.

The former World No. 10 has had a rough road since 2023 when a knee injury sidelined him and caused a significant ranking drop, even falling out of the Top 100. His 2024 season was inconsistent, with surprising defeats and months-long struggles to regain his level.

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However, Shapovalov now appears to be back on track. He achieved his highest ranking in over two years last week, reaching World No. 28. He was on an eight-match winning streak, winning the Dallas Open title before reaching the Acapulco semifinals, where Alejandro Davidovich Fokina stopped him from playing back-to-back finals.

“I haven’t been able to stop because after Acapulco I had a crazy flu. Coming straight from the match, I started shivering right after my match against [Alejandro Davidovich] Fokina. I’ve been dealing with that,” Shapo mentioned. “It’s been non-stop for me. I was locked in my room for about four or five days. I got a little bit of practice in before my match. I’ve been dealing with some tough stuff.”

The 25-year-old is now looking to make a statement against Alcaraz, who is on a 13-match winning streak in Indian Wells and is aiming to join Federer and Djokovic as the only players to win three consecutive titles in Tennis Paradise. “It’s gonna be a tough match, but these are the types of matches I need to win if I want to have a chance to return to the Top 10,” stated Shapovalov.

“For sure it’s not an ideal draw for me, but I’m happy with the win today (over Australia’s Adam Walton). It’s gonna be a great show, I would say. I’m definitely hoping that I can play some good tennis, and we’ll see how my game is able to match up against him in these conditions. Obviously, he enjoys himself quite a bit here.”

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So far, they have only one previous encounter, back in the 2023 French Open, Round of 32, where Alcaraz comfortably defeated Shapo 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.

Now firmly inside the Top 30, Shapovalov will be seeded again at the Miami Open, giving him an opportunity to start against lower-ranked opponents. For a player of his caliber—who has already proven himself as a Top 10 contender—this could be the momentum he needs to challenge the world’s best once again.

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