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The blockbuster Indian Wells quarterfinal between Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime on Thursday had a special guest in attendance. 9-time Grand Slam singles champion Monica Seles was in the stands for the night-session match, soaking in all the thrilling tennis action at Stadium 1 between the two young stars of the men's game.
Alcaraz continued his supreme run of form this week in what is only his first hard-court tournament of the season, with a 6-4 6-4 win over 8th seed Auger-Aliassime. Seles, who herself won the Indian Wells WTA event in 1992, was spotted in the stands during the first set of the quarter-final clash.
Former world No. 1 Seles was seated next to businessman and Indian Wells tournament owner Larry Ellison and was seen having a chat with him during the sixth game of the first set.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz kept his hopes alive of regaining the world No. 1 spot from Novak Djokovic, and now stands within two wins of the feat. With nothing short of the Indian Wells title sufficing in his bid to do so, the 19-year-old has looked in great touch all week as he is yet to drop a set after four matches. Alcaraz also bagged his first win in four tries against Auger-Aliassime.
He will take on Jannik Sinner in the semifinals on Saturday, in what is being viewed as another thriller on the cards.
"I'm going to enjoy that match" - Carlos Alcaraz excited for Jannik Sinner battle at Indian Wells 2023
Carlos Alcaraz expressed his excitement to face Jannik Sinner once again as the two youngsters who are among the world's best will renew their enthralling rivalry in the Indian Wells semifinals on Saturday. Alcaraz recognized that the match will also generate a lot of excitement for the neutrals and vowed to give his best effort against an in-form Sinner.
The duo have played out some thrillers already, most recently at the 2022 US Open, where eventual champion Alcaraz won their quarterfinal contest 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 6-3, 7-5.
"Really happy to play against him (Sinner) again. Great battles, I've enjoyed the matches against him," Carlos Alcaraz said in his on-court interview after the win over Auger-Aliassime.
"It's going to be a really good match for the fans as well to watch. For myself as well, I'll try to do my best and show my hundred percent as Jannik is playing great. I'm going to enjoy that match."
The winner of the match will then face the winner of the other semifinal between Daniil Medvedev and Frances Tiafoe in Sunday's Indian Wells men's singles final.
