Day four on 2025 BNP Paribas Open contained two major uproaces and the successful start of Carlos Alcaraz’s title defense.
Alcaraz is the twice defeated champion and he started his campaign with a routine 6-4 6-2 victory over Quentin Hales.
A man he does not have to worry about meeting in the latter rounds is Novak Djokovic, when he crashed to Lucky Loser Botic van de Zandschulp in three sets. Novak is now on a three-match-losing line and will not yet go again after its damage to the Australian Open.
The seventh seed Andrey also crashed out to Matteo Arnaldi, while Auger-Aliassime and SEB Kora were the other seeded players who fell at the first obstacle.
2022 Champ Taylor Fritz started strongly, as well as Ben Shelton, Jack Draper, Alex de Minaur and Grigor Dimitrov.
Day Four 2025 GDP Paribas Open Sounds with 64 Results
| Winner | Loser | Results line |
|---|---|---|
| Matte Arnaldi | Andrey Rublev (7) | 6-4 7-5 |
| Brandon Nakashima (32) | Rinky hijiata | 7-5 6-1 |
| Karen Khachanov (22) | Jakub fascinates | 3-6 6-0 6-3 |
| Ben Shelton (11) | Marionavone | 6-3 6-2 |
| Jack Draper (13) | Joao Fonseca (WC) | 6-4 6-0 |
| Jenson Brooksby (PR) | Happy Auger-Aliassime (17) | 6-4 6-2 |
| Alejandro tabilo (30) | Dusan Lajovic | 6-3 7-5 |
| Taylor Fritz (3) | Matteo Gigante (Q) | 6-3 7-5 |
| BOTIC van de Zandschulp (LL) | Novak Djokovic (6) | 6-2 3-6 6-1 |
| Francisco Cerundolo (25) | Mackenzie McDonald (toilet) | 4-6 7-6 (1) 6-1 |
| Hubert Hurcz (21) | Hugo Gaston (Q) | 7-5 6-3 |
| Alex de Minaur (9) | David Goffin | 6-2 6-2 |
| Grigor Dimitrov (14) | Nuno Borges | 6-3 6-4 |
| Gael Monfils | Sebastian Korda (24) | 7-6 (2) 7-6 (4) |
| Denis Shapovalov (27) | Adam Walton (Q) | 6-3 6-2 |
| Carlos Alcaraz (2) | Quentin Hales | 6-4 6-2 |
Van de Zandschulp Downs Djokovic
Botic van de Zandschulp pulled off another upset on Saturday and took down five times Master Novak Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.
The Dutch happy loser took advantage of a shaky start from Djokovic before raising his level in the decisive to seal it two hours, one minute victory. I thought he played decent; He had plenty of time on the ball and took his chances.
Botic has been a bit of a mystery lately; One minute he was close to retirement, then he drew from impressive gains against Alcaraz, Nadal and now Djokovic and seemed to have the wish back. Still, he has failed to do the last eight at any ATP event in two years (Dubai 2023 was his earlier), so apart from the big win of the occasion he has not made much impression.
Djokovic is now on a 3-match losing line, and he doesn’t look too sharp out there. There are a few moments where he seems to be able to raise his level, but maintaining that is the problem, and he looks vulnerable to who he plays. The three remaining Grand Slams will be his benchmark, but I don’t think you can win sludge but at least any form at ATP level.
Interestingly, after the match, he said that Stadium 1 court plays completely different from anyone else, and the ball bounces higher than most clay tracks.
I think I stayed cool throughout the match. The second set was very tough, he got a great lead. But I think I did well to turn it into 5-3 to get a little speed back. I think I started well, survived one or two matches in the third set and then broke and turned it. I know that if I go into the match and lose my cool, especially against the big players, it will be a really tough day. It’s always one thing I try to do well. BITIC on his victory over Novak.
Alcaraz Aces Hales to start title defense
Carlos Alcaraz thrives in the desert and started his GDP Pariba’s Open campaign strongly and facilitates Quentin Hales 6-4, 6-2 to expand his Indian Brunnar’s victory to 13 matches.
I thought Hales started pretty well, because he can clock 130 km / h serves and goes big in advance. Alcaraz was a bit of Ropey, but when he was satisfied he started working points and took full control.
As Djokovic noted at the press conference, the ball bounces super fast at Stadium 1, and I think Alcaraz loves it when he gets more time on the ball, but it is still fast through the air.
Alcaraz is more about cutting out points and mixing them with his drip shot, so I think if you had to tailor a court for him, the tennis grains would be the plan.
It is also the reason why his record on faster harsh courts is not so amazing. Unlike Federer, who grew up and played on all kinds of indoor rugs surfaces during the winter and needed quick hands to redirect the ball, Alcaraz never really had as a junior. I think it is easier to adapt from fast courts to slower rather than the other way around, especially when you are a full -fledged pro with all that muscle memory.
I was really nervous, it was not easy to control the emotions. I had to be focused to calm down, take control of the nerves and try to play good tennis. I think it did pretty well. I’m really happy to get through and start the title defense. It’s slow, the ball bounces a lot, the conditions are pretty good for me. I just love to play here. I feel at home, really calm down by the court. Fans have always been good for me, so I just appreciate that love and support. Everything here suits me and my game. Alcaraz on her 13 straight victory in Indian Wells.
Other matches of notes
- Matteo Arnaldi stunned the seventh seed Andrey Rublev 6-4, 7-5. Rublev, who won the Doha title in February, has been hit by a backward match defeat after falling to Hales in Dubai last month.
- Jack Draper added bed idea Joao Fonseca was a title challenger in Indian Wells and dominated the Brazilian 6-4, 6-0. Like Alcaraz, I think the conditions work well for his game here.
- Grigor Dimitrov also started strong. The Bulgarian has had a sad start to the season and retired from several matches, but he took out Borges in straight sets.
- Gael Monfil’s maintained its excellent start at 2025 and took out SEB Kora in two tie breaks.
- Ben Shelton’s serve can be deadly under the IW conditions, and he did not meet a breaking point and won 80% of his first serve (28/35) on his way to a victory against Mario Navone.
Highlights
Indian Wells 2025 Day 5 Round of 32 matches
- Tallon Griekspoor vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (29)
- Yosuke watanuki (q) vs frances tiafoe (16)
- Holger Rune (12) vs Ugo Humbert (18)
- Matteo Berrettini (28) vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (8)
- Marcos Giron vs Alexei Popyrin (26)
- Arthur Fils (20) Vs Lorenzo Muetti (15)
- Tommy Paul (10) vs Cameron Norrie
- Alex Michelsen (31) against Daniil Medvedev (5)
Who has impressed you most so far in Indian wells?
