Alcaraz seeks to continue perfect start as Sabalenka eyes reset at Indian Wells

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alcaraz-garfia-carlos/UkhgIFEq/"]Alcaraz[/a] arrives in the Southern California desert fresh off completing ‌the career Grand Slam in Melbourne and carrying a ‌12-0 record for 2026.[/p][p]The 22-year-old Spaniard, already a two-time champion at ‌the prestigious event, could be headed for another high-profile showdown ‌with rival [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sinner-jannik/6HdC3z4H/"]Jannik Sinner[/a] in what has become the sport's most compelling match-up.[/p][p]"[b]What's interesting about Carlos and Jannik is that whenever one gains ‌an edge, the other goes away, figures things ⁠out, and comes back ‌better[/b]," Tennis Channel analyst Prakash Amritraj told Reuters this week.[/p][embed guid="3cb099b7-7763-4142-a73b-dad032f6a59c" url="https://x.com/BNPPARIBASOPEN/status/2028559441088704859" social-type="twitter" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/djokovic-novak/AZg49Et9/"]Novak Djokovic[/a], meanwhile, ​continues to defy expectations in the twilight of his career. The Serbian great stunned Sinner with a ​gritty five-set comeback win in Melbourne and remains a force at the biggest events.[/p][p]"[b]Djokovic managed to move the unmovable mountain that ⁠is Jannik Sinner[/b]," Amritraj ​said.[/p][p]"[b]To come from behind in five sets, while also making the semis of all four majors last year, is hard to put into words[/b].”[/p][p]Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion who has ‌rewritten much of tennis history, could break his tie with Roger Federer for the most Indian Wells titles should he lift a sixth trophy.[/p][h2]Sabalenka looks to rebound[/h2][p]On the women's side, Belarusian power-hitter [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sabalenka-aryna/vyhksgUB/"]Sabalenka[/a] returns to action for the first time since her bid for a third Australian Open crown was halted by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rybakina-elena/UDzElXdm/"]Elena Rybakina[/a].[/p][p]Despite several painful losses in title matches, Sabalenka has been the steadiest presence in a frequently unpredictable WTA ‌landscape, reaching five of the past six Grand Slam finals.[/p][embed guid="fa428036-b6a9-45f3-ae64-dcda936c8f73" url="https://x.com/BNPPARIBASOPEN/status/2028594283629129943" social-type="twitter" /][p]"[b]Sabalenka ​has been the most consistent player at that level[/b]," Amritraj ‌said.[/p][p]"[b]She hasn't always crossed the finish line, but in my mind she is still the clear number one. Regardless of that loss to Rybakina in Australia, she's my favourite here[/b]."[/p][p]The Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 main draws at ⁠Indian Wells, officially named ⁠the BNP Paribas Open, begin ‌on Wednesday.[/p]