By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Facing the firing line is when Carlos Alcaraz's game is most alive.

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The US Open champion can surpass Novak Djokovic and regain the world No. 1 ranking by capturing his third Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells this weekend.

Alcaraz, who missed the Australian Open with a leg injury, has posted an 11-1 record beating Cameron Norrie to win Buenos Aires and losing to the left-handed Briton in the Rio final.



Asked which shot indicates his confidence on court, Alcaraz said when he's firing his forehand down the line with conviction it's a clear sign of his self-belief.

"When I hit the forehand down the line really well, I say to myself, All right, I'm in a good level right now," Alcaraz told the media in Indian Wells after reaching his third consecutive quarterfinal of the season. "let's say it's one of my favorite shots when I hit the ball really hard, you know.

"I hit the winner down the line and hit the ball really clearly. That point, yeah, I say I'm in a good level. You know, yeah, is one of my favorite shots."

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