Grigor Dimitrov prepares for Carlos Alcaraz showdown at Indian Wells ATP Tour
Indian Wells
Dimitrov faces Alcaraz in Indian Wells
Bulgaria will play the top seed in the second round after winning the first of three sets
March 5, 2026
ATP Tour
Grigor Dimitrov reached the semifinals at Indian Wells in 2021.
Written by ATP Staff
Grigor Dimitrov seized a chance for revenge at the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday, beating Terrence Altman by one stroke, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, to set up a heavyweight clash with top seed Carlos Alcaraz in Indian Wells.
The 34-year-old Bulgarian avenged his loss to Atman eight days earlier in Acapulco, recovering from a frustrating finish in the second set to end the match in three sets. With the victory, Dimitrov will meet two-time Indian Wells champion Alkaraz, who defeated Dimitrov in the fourth round of last year’s tournament in their most recent Lexus ATP head-to-head meeting.
Hard work but safe⛓️@grigordimitrov They will face a tricky test with Atmane in the first round and will face Alcaraz in the second round.@BNPPARIBASOPEN | #tennisparadise pic.twitter.com/RTJE2QClvA
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 5, 2026
“I think I started my game really well, but it’s difficult to maintain a consistent level,” said Dimitrov, who reached the Indian Wells semifinals in 2021. “I knew at some point I was going to get some opportunities, so I just took advantage of those moments. Things could have happened anything, but I was able to stay very strong in the biggest moments.”
According to Infosys ATP statistics, Dimitrov held seven break points at 5-5 in the second set but was unable to convert any before losing serve in the ensuing game, handing Altman the decider. However, the former world number three responded calmly to earn Alcaraz, who is the top player in the PIF ATP Rankings and has won 12 matches in a row as 2026 begins, another chance.
“I always focus on my side of the net,” Dimitrov said when asked about the clash with Alcaraz. “At this point in my career, I almost always focus on my side of the net and what I want to do. If I win, that’s great. If I lose, that’s great. That’s a mentality I want to adopt more.”
In another match at Indian Wells on Thursday, Kamil Makhzak beat Giovanni Mpethi Perikad 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 to set up a second-round meeting with third-seeded Novak Djokovic. The 38-year-old Serbian will play his first match since reaching the Australian Open final in January, where he lost in four sets to Alcaraz.
Alexander Shevchenko and Jacob Fearnley also advanced. Shevchenko defeated qualifier Sho Shimabukuro 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to earn a second-round matchup with 13th seed Kasper Ruud, while Fearnley defeated Damir Zuhur 6-3, 6-3 and will next face 2022 champion Taylor Fritz.
