World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz overcame a set and a break deficit to defeat No. 28 Arthur Rinderknech 6-7(6/8), 6-3, 6-2 in the third round at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 on Monday. The Spaniard extended his unbeaten 2026 run following titles at the Australian Open and Doha ATP 500, while expressing frustration over opponents elevating their play against him.
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz, 22, faced a stern test from France's Arthur Rinderknech in the third round (round of 16) of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, prevailing 6-7(6/8), 6-3, 6-2 in 2 hours and 18 minutes. The Spaniard lost the first set in a tiebreak after failing to convert break and set points, then trailed early in the second before breaking back immediately and seizing momentum to level at one set apiece. In the decider, Alcaraz broke to lead 1-0 and cruised to victory, marking his sixth win over the Frenchman.
Rinderknech's powerful serving, returns, and net play troubled Alcaraz throughout. During the second set, Alcaraz twisted his right ankle but minimized its impact post-match.
In comments reported by Clarin, Alcaraz voiced irritation at opponents stepping up: "Sometimes I get tired of feeling like I’m playing against Roger Federer in every round. Sometimes it seems like everyone is playing at an incredibly high level. If they played at that level in every match, they should be much higher in the rankings." He added, "I feel like I have a target on my back. The only thing I can do is accept it, move on, and try to do different things during the match — try to impose my style, my tennis, my level."
Reflecting on the opener, he said, "I was a little angry with myself because I had several break points, even a set point, and I couldn’t take them. I felt I had let big opportunities go. But I accepted it, tried to stay mentally strong and keep fighting. I knew I would have more chances."
Alcaraz, who previously won Indian Wells in 2023 and 2024 and reached the semifinals in 2025, will next face 13th seed Casper Ruud.
