Carlos Alcaraz overcame a challenging start to defeat Arthur Rinderknech in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on March 11, 2026. The top-seeded Spaniard secured a comeback victory with a score of 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-2, demonstrating his resilience on the courts of Indian Wells, California.
In a match that initially had Alcaraz reeling, Rinderknech, the 26th seed, displayed impressive skills. He saved a set point late in the first-set tiebreaker, winning the final three points to secure the set. Rinderknech then broke Alcaraz’s serve to start the second set, leaving the Spanish star in a precarious position.
Alcaraz, however, found his rhythm and went on to win 12 of the last 16 games. This victory keeps him undefeated in 2026, marking his 14th consecutive win and adding to his recent triumph at the Australian Open.
Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz praised Rinderknech’s performance, saying, “I just sometimes get tired about playing Roger Federer every round.” He expressed appreciation for the challenge, noting, “He was playing his best tennis, I would say, in the first, the beginning of the second. For me, it was really, really difficult.” Alcaraz acknowledged the importance of remaining mentally strong, stating, “I accepted it, kept going, stayed strong mentally and then tried to do a little bit different.”
As Alcaraz prepares for the fourth round, he will face 13th-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway, who advanced after defeating 24th-seeded Valentin Vacherot of Monaco with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
In another significant match on the same day, third-seeded Novak Djokovic achieved victory over the United States’ Aleksandar Kovacevic with a score of 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. Despite a solid performance from Kovacevic, who recorded a 16-6 advantage in aces, Djokovic noted the difficulties he faced, stating, “He was just making my life very difficult, returning the serve.”
The day also saw notable upsets, including Alex Michelsen’s defeat of seventh-seeded Taylor Fritz, the 2022 Indian Wells champion, in an all-U.S. matchup, ending with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (6). Defending champion Jack Draper of Great Britain, seeded 14th, progressed by overcoming 19th-seeded Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina with a decisive 6-1, 7-5 scoreline.
Additionally, 11th-seeded Daniil Medvedev from Russia, 27th-seeded Cameron Norrie from Great Britain, and Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata also secured spots in the fourth round.
The tournament continues to unfold with high stakes as top players aim for the prestigious title, making each match critical for their chances in the BNP Paribas Open.
