(Indian Wells) The title holders of the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells (California, United States) were not at the party on Friday for their entry into the running: the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz struggled to eliminate the Italian Matteo Arnaldi, and Kazakh Elena Rybakina had to withdraw.
Carlos Alcaraz, world No.2, needed three sets against Arnaldi (6-7, 6-0, 6-1) for his entry into the tournament in the second round, the top seeds being exempt from the first games.
Irregular, often making mistakes, Alcaraz rowed throughout the first set, where he nevertheless obtained a break in advance. After saving a set point, he gave in in the tiebreaker after two unforced errors, like his start to the game.
Arnaldi then collapsed in the second round, before the Spaniard managed the last one, making mistakes again at times. “Carlitos” brought the crowd to their feet with a delicious counter-shot to lead 5-1.
Alcaraz, who showed no after-effects from his sprained right ankle suffered two weeks ago in Rio, therefore advances to 3e tour, where he will face the Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime. But the Spaniard was not completely reassuring, having not won a tournament since Wimbledon in July 2023.
“He (Arnaldi) played good tennis, I made a few mistakes at the start. My 2e set was then better, I ran better, I was in the rhythm,” said Alcaraz.
“Sadness”
PHOTO RULA ROUHANA, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Elena Rybakina
Her setbacks were ultimately minor compared to those of the other title holder at “Tennis Paradise”, the Kazakh Elena Rybakina, who announced her withdrawal in the afternoon.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce that I will not be able to participate in the Indian Wells tournament this year due to intestinal problems,” declared the 24-year-old player, world No.4 and victorious at Wimbledon in 2022 .
The day held another surprise in the women’s table with the elimination of the Tunisian Ons Jabeur, world No.6 and three-time Grand Slam finalist, by the No.131 in the ranking, the American Katie Volynets (6-4 , 6-4).
The other favorites were confident and reassured, like world No.1 Iga Swiatek, who overcame the American Danielle Collins (6-3, 6-0).
The Italian Jannik Sinner, world No.3 and sensation at the start of the season with his victory at the Australian internationals, won by the same score against the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.
“I’m happy obviously, it was a difficult match, contrary to what the score indicates,” commented the 22-year-old player, still undefeated in 2024 (13 wins).
“I’m not unbeatable, I’m just well prepared. I work very hard to put myself in this position,” he assured.
“I have confidence. But it can quickly go in the wrong direction. I hope to continue my series as much as possible, but it may end in two days. My competitors know me better now, that makes things interesting. »
Saturday, continuation and end of the second round with notably the entries into the running of Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff.