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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday March 11, 2023

 
Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz says he is feeling fully recovered - and it showed in his second-round win at Indian Wells.

Photo Source: Getty

Carlos Alcaraz came to Indian Wells for the second time in 2022 and made a big splash, reaching the semifinals before losing to Rafael Nadal in one of the signature matches of last year’s BNP Paribas Open.

Tennis Express

This year he’s hoping the third time's a charm. Alcaraz is looking like the man to beat after a dominant second-round victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis in Saturday’s Stadium 1 night session.

Best of all, the top seeded World No.2 seems to be free and clear from the hamstring injury that hindered him in the Rio final several weeks ago, when he fell to Cameron Norrie at the end of a grueling run that saw him play nine matches in 12 days on the red clay of South America.

“It seems today that I move really well,” Alcaraz said after taking out the 94th-ranked Aussie 6-3 6-3. “I felt really comfortable playing here... So I think I'm ready and totally recovered from the injury.”

The 19-year-old Spaniard, making his third appearance in the California desert, didn’t face a break point on serve as he dropped a mere seven points on serve against Kokkinakis. He cracked 22 winners against nine unforced errors as he eased to victory in 76 minutes, booking a third-round clash with Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands.


“I surprised myself today with my serve,” Alcaraz said. “I serve really well in the first set and in the second set as well.”

Alcaraz, who can retake the No.1 ranking from Novak Djokovic by winning the title at Indian Wells, converted three of nine break points, and even smashed a 110 MPH forehand winner at one point.


After the match he signed the camera “I live Indian Wells” – his play was the living, breathing embodiment of that statement.

“Live the moment, play the match, and go for it,” he said. “That's the goal in this tournament for me.”

 

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