Alcaraz powers into last 16 as Sabalenka, Gauff and Keys march ahead at Indian Wells

Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz powered past in-form Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-4 on Monday to continue his march toward a rare Indian Wells ATP Masters three-peat.

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The world number three from Spain booked his place in the last 16 with a clinical victory, breaking Shapovalov in the opening game with a blistering forehand down the line as he roared to a 5-0 lead.

Alcaraz said the quick start was key against an opponent coming off a title in Dallas and a semi-final run in Acapulco.

"I knew at the beginning of the match that I had to be really focused. I had to start the match really strong, knowing it was going to be a really tough battle," Alcaraz said.

He saved three of the four break points he faced and converted four of his eight chances, sealing the match with an overhead that Shapovalov could barely get his racquet to.

Pleased with his performance, Alcaraz said there were still a few things he could improve as he tries to join Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as the only men to win three straight titles in the California desert.

In other matches, world number four Taylor Fritz, the Indian Wells champion in 2022, said he "just stopped making super random mistakes" to turn things around in his 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over Chilean Alejandro Tabilo.