DEMOLITION MEN
Sinner, Alcaraz show no mercy, roll into 4th round

CARLOS Alcaraz celebrates after pulling off an ‘almost perfect’ game in beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round of the Indian Wells men’s singles event. | MICHAEL OWENS/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
INDIAN WELLS (AFP) — Reigning Grand Slam champions Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz turned in dominating performances on Sunday to roll into the fourth round of the ATP-WTA Indian W ells Masters.
The two hottest young players in the sport showed no mercy in quick-fire victories, with Australian Open champion Sinner overwhelming Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-4.
"Almost perfect" Alcaraz, the reigning Wimbledon champion, stepped up his Indian Wells title defense with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The world No. 2 Spaniard allowed his Canadian opponent no room to move, reaching the fourth round with his eighth match win in a row at the event. A pair of women's veterans showed new life in maternity comebacks.
"It was almost the perfect match for me," said Alcaraz, who broke Auger-Aliassime's serve four times.
"I moved well, played aggressive and had less mistakes."
Sinner was equally ruthless as he attacked Struff, with the Italian winning his 17th match in succession dating to his country's Davis Cup victory in November.
Sinner fired 27 winners past Struff, whose style gave the third seed a target on court.
"We prepared very well, I tried to learn his moves," Sinner said.
"I played well and served well under pressure."
"Overall, I can be really happy about today, I felt really good on the court."
Alcaraz won the last five games of the opening set and broke to start the second on his way to repeating his win over Auger-Aliassime from the 2023 quarterfinals.
The second seed finished off victory on his first match point as Auger-Aliassime hit the net with his 23rd unforced error.
It was a welcome show of strength from Alcaraz, who hasn't won a title since winning his second Grand Slam with a stunning triumph over Novak Djokovic at the All England Club last year.
