Carlos Alcaraz notches up another milestone in fewer matches than Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer
Carlos Alcaraz reached yet another milestone in his young career as he recorded his 100th top-level win and he did so in fewer matches than the Big Three of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, although he is second fastest in terms of the all-time record.
The reigning US Open champion booked his place in the last-16 of the Indian Wells Open with a solid 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory over Tallon Griekspoor to hit the magical 100-career match win mark.
World No 36 Griekspoor was no pushover as there were no breaks of serve in the opening set before the top seed edged the tie-breaker.
Alcaraz then took charge of the second set early on as he broke in game two, but the Dutchman refused to give up the fight as he saved a match point on his serve in game eight before the teenager served out the match for his 100th win.
His latest milestone came in just 132 matches – one slower than record-holder John McEnroe, but he did achieve the feat in fewer matches than Nadal (137), Djokovic (143) and Federer (169).
“I’m really proud to get my 100th win on the ATP Tour and I hope it’s the first 100 of many,” Alcaraz said. “Honestly, I searched that stat today, [but] I didn’t know. I thought it was in the next round.”
Victoria 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣
The moment @carlosalcaraz won his 100th professional match on tour!
🙌 @BNPPARIBASOPEN pic.twitter.com/UpcaeddHFe
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 14, 2023
Up next is fellow young gun Jack Draper after the left-hander won an all-British encounter against Andy Murray. The 21-year-old Draper beat the three-time Grand Slam winner 7-6 (8-6), 6-2.
Alcaraz and Draper met in Basel in October last year and the former came out on top in three sets.
The winner of that clash will face either eighth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime or 18th Tommy Paul in the quarter-final.
Alcaraz has a chance of regaining top spot in the ATP Rankings from Novak Djokovic, but only a title win at the ATP Masters 1000 event in California will be good enough to return to world No 1.
The 19-year-old became the youngest world No 1 last year when he defeated Casper Ruud in the US Open final to secure his maiden Grand Slam title, but he then missed the Australian Open due to injury and Djokovic reclaimed top spot on the back of winning a 10th title at Melbourne Park.