Alcaraz defends perfect start as star Sabalenka seeks reset

Carlos Alcaraz puts his flawless start to the season on the line and fellow top seed Aryna Sabalenka aims to regroup from Australian Open disappointment as Indian Wells begins this week.

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Aryna Sabalenka fields questions on media day in Indian Wells.

(AFP)

Alcaraz arrives in the Southern California desert fresh off completing the career Grand Slam in Melbourne and carrying a 12-0 record for 2026.

The 22-year-old Spaniard, already a two-time champion at the prestigious event, could be headed for another high-profile showdown with rival Jannik Sinner in what has become the sport's most compelling match-up.

"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," Tennis Channel analyst Prakash Amritraj told Reuters this week.