Indian Wells
Dimitrov delivers to set Alcaraz showdown at Indian Wells
Bulgarian books second-round assembly with high seed after three-set opening win
March 05, 2026
ATP Tour
Grigor Dimitrov reached the semi-final in Indian Wells in 2021.
By ATP Workers
Grigor Dimitrov seized revenge and a blockbuster alternative in a single stroke on Thursday on the BNP Paribas Open, the place he overcame Terence Atmane 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to line up a heavyweight Indian Wells conflict with high seed Carlos Alcaraz.
The 34-year-old Bulgarian avenged a defeat to Atmane from simply eight days in the past in Acapulco, rallying from a irritating finish to the second set to shut out the match in three. Along with his victory, Dimitrov set a gathering with two-time Indian Wells champion Alcaraz, who beat him within the fourth spherical on the event final 12 months — their most up-to-date Lexus ATP Head2Head assembly.
Onerous fought however secured ⛓️@GrigorDimitrov navigates a difficult opening spherical check in opposition to Atmane and can face Alcaraz within the second spherical.@BNPPARIBASOPEN | #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/RTJE2QClvA
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 5, 2026
“I feel I began the match rather well but it surely was simply troublesome to keep up a stable stage,” stated Dimitrov, who reached the Indian Wells semi-finals in 2021. “I knew that I might get a number of possibilities sooner or later, so I used to be simply holding onto these moments. It might have gone both manner, however I used to be in a position to keep very sturdy in a very powerful moments.”
Within the second set, Dimitrov held seven break factors at 5-5, in accordance with Infosys ATP Stats, however was unable to transform any earlier than dropping serve within the following sport, permitting Atmane right into a decider. The previous World No. 3 responded clinically, nevertheless, to earn one other shot at Alcaraz, the No. 1 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings who’s on a 12-match profitable streak to start 2026.
“I am all the time trying on my aspect of the online,” Dimitrov stated when requested concerning the conflict with Alcaraz. “At this level in my profession, I am virtually all the time going to have a look at my aspect of the online and what I need to do. If I win, nice. If I lose, nice once more. That is the mindset that I need to undertake much more.”
In different motion on Thursday in Indian Wells, Kamil Majchrzak defeated Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 to arrange a second-round assembly with third seed Novak Djokovic. The 38-year-old Serbian can be taking part in his first match since reaching the Australian Open remaining in January, when he misplaced to Alcaraz in 4 units.
Alexander Shevchenko and Jacob Fearnley additionally superior. Shevchenko beat qualifier Sho Shimabukuro 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to earn a second-round matchup with thirteenth seed Casper Ruud, whereas Fearnley downed Damir Dzumhur 6-3, 6-3 and can subsequent meet 2022 champion Taylor Fritz.
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