The world number one defeats the Norwegian in two sets 6-1, 7-6(2) and reaches the quarterfinals of the US tournament for the fifth year in a row
Carlos Alcaraz’s fifteenth consecutive victory in 2026 sees the world number one deliver a simply monstrous performance in the first set, the umpteenth in recent months. The unfortunate Casper Ruud was beaten 6-1, 7-6(2) in an hour and a half in the round of 16 at Indian Wells, stepping up his game in the second set and giving his all to counter the tremendous competitive fury of the seven-time Grand Slam champion. He didn’t quite succeed, but to match Carlos at the moment, you have to give it your all and hope that the ball stays between the lines.
Alcaraz on fire— Alcaraz was in “God mode” in the first half hour, that unreal level of play that the Murcian delivers on his best days. Just look at the numbers from the first set, with a performance rating of 9.7, one of the highest in a single set in the last three years, 71% of first serves in and 100% of points won on first serve. The set lasted 37 minutes only because the third game alone lasted almost nine minutes, with Ruud, surprised by the Spaniard’s aggression at the start, trying to do something about it, with little success. The Norwegian had to serve an ace or a winning first serve to score a point, but as soon as the rally started, there was nothing he could do.
Ruud’s reaction— Alcaraz complained in his last press conference that he was “tired of always playing opponents who look like Roger Federer,” so he decided to do it himself, at least at the start of the match. Apart from his solidity from the baseline, the world No. 1 also allowed himself several trips to the net, with sublime touches that were somewhat reminiscent of the Swiss, without any disrespect. In the second set, however, the music changed, thanks to Ruud, who definitely stepped up his game, hitting practically everything throughout the set. The result was that the tiebreak was reached with no break points for either player, with the Norwegian particularly on form with his forehand. In the tiebreak, however, Alcaraz returned to his first-set form, going up 4-0 and hitting 5-0 at the net, but the next two points, both splendid, gave him five match points, with the match ending on the second attempt.
Norrie obstacle— Alcaraz thus flies into the quarterfinals of the Californian tournament, where he will meet Cameron Norrie, who beat him in Paris Bercy and who has always given him some trouble here and there: obviously, the world number one is the clear favorite, but watch out for the Englishman, who is in excellent form.
