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Carlos Alcaraz continued his flawless start to 2026, extending his unbeaten run to 15-0 with a commanding 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) victory over Casper Ruud in the third round of the Indian Wells Masters on Wednesday.
The world number one’s clinical performance in the opening set left Ruud with little to no chance, and despite a tighter second set, Alcaraz secured the win with ease, taking the tiebreak 7-2.
This victory marked Alcaraz’s fifth consecutive appearance in the quarter-finals of the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event, solidifying his dominance in the desert. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who claimed back-to-back Indian Wells titles in 2023 and 2024, now has his sights set on a third consecutive semi-final appearance.
Alcaraz will face 29th-ranked Briton Cameron Norrie in the quarter-finals. Norrie, the 2021 Indian Wells champion, earned his spot with a solid 6-4, 6-2 win over Australian qualifier Rinki Hijikata. Norrie’s victory sets up an exciting clash with Alcaraz, a match that promises to be a true test of the young Spaniard’s incredible season form.
Alcaraz’s 2026 campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary. He not only became the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam with his triumph at the Australian Open, but he also claimed the Qatar Open title.
With a perfect record in 2026, Alcaraz is showing no signs of slowing down as he looks to extend his unbeaten streak and add to his ever-growing trophy collection.
