Carlos Alcaraz survives scare at Indian Wells

Before he went on to win, 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2, on Monday at Indian Wells, Carlos Alcaraz’s perfect season looked like it was in some serious trouble.

The 22-year-old Spanish tennis star, the top-ranked player in the world, blew a chance to win the first set when Arthur Rinderknech saved a set point and then scored two more consecutive points to win the set.

Rinderknech, a 30-year-old Texas A&M grad from France, then immediately went up a break to start the second set. He whipped the ball across the court with such force that even Alcaraz, who is known for his quick feet and elite court coverage, struggled to return several balls and extend rallies.

For the first 45 minutes, it was Rinderknech who was in charge of the match. He had not beaten a top-ranked player in his career, though he sent third-seeded Alexander Zverev home from Wimbledon last year.

But Alcaraz, in dangerous territory and on upset alert, then seemed to flip a switch. He played with the poise and fire that has made him so difficult to beat and dominated the remainder of the match.

“I just took the chances that he gave me,” Alcaraz said afterward.

Inside a mostly full Stadium 1 at the BNP Paribas Open, Alcaraz He dug in and rallied from behind in several service games. He broke Rinderknech back and won five of the next six games to go up a double break and cruise to a second set win. Alcaraz held his right index finger to the back of his ear and then pumped his fist as the crowd roared.

In the third set, Alcaraz, who won the title in Indian Wells in 2023 and 2024, immediately went up a break with the crowd behind him. He held serve to take a 2-0 lead in the set with a running forehand winner and continued to carry the momentum to victory.

The match was two hours and 19 minutes of unrelenting entertainment.

“Very rarely do we get to see Alcaraz down and set and down a break,” former player Sam Querrey said on the radio broadcast. “As a fan, it’s fun to see.”

With titles at the Australian Open and in Doha prior to coming to Indian Wells, Alcaraz is now 14-0 this season. Alcaraz also beat Rinderknech in Doha, just two weeks ago.

Alcaraz now moves into the Round of 16 for the fifth consecutive year at Indian Wells. He reached the semifinals in 2022 and 2025. Alcaraz has an all-time record of 22-3 at this event, with his only losses coming against Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Jack Draper.

Alcaraz will now play 13th-seeded Casper Rudd.

[This story has been updated to add information.]

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Carlos Alcaraz survives Indian Wells scare to beat Arthur Rinderknech