Shelton Continues His Success On U.S. Soil At Indian Wells

Ben Shelton
Ben Shelton (photo: ATP Tour video)

INDIAN WELLS/WASHINGTON, March 13, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)

A day after No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev, No. 12 Holger Rune, No. 20 Arthur Fils and unseeded Tallon Griekspoor booked their BNP Paribas Open quarterfinal berths during a rain-delayed Tuesday, eight players battled to garner the four remaining quarterfinal spots on a sun-splashed Wednesday.

In an all-U.S. battle on Stadium 2 to begin the afternoon, World No. 12 Ben Shelton took on No. 33 Brandon Nakashima, which guaranteed there would be an American in the Indian Wells quarterfinals for the seventh time in the last eight editions.

While the 22-year-old Shelton came in having won all three of their earlier meetings – including 7-0 in sets – Nakashima, 23, had won at least five games in every set they’ve played.

Although Nakashima stayed close to Shelton for a set, ultimately, it was the former NCAA singles champion who prevailed 7-6 (6), 6-1, in an hour and 34 minutes by mixing his power game with effective, short-angled volleys to advance to his 15th tour-level quarterfinal – the third ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal and first one at Indian Wells – and the sixth quarterfinal on U.S. soil. He’s the youngest American quarterfinalist at Indian Wells since Andy Roddick (at age 21) in 2004.

Shelton, who is now 10-0 after winning the first set this season, struck 26 winners – six of them aces – made 18 unforced errors and converted three of five break-point chances. Shelton benefited from 21 unforced errors by Nakashima and he outpointed his opponent 70-53. Shelton averaged 193 km/h (119 mph) with his first serve and his maximum speed reached 237 km/h (147 mph).

“For me, I thought the second set was outstanding,” Shelton (now 10-4 in 2025) said during his on-court interview. “Whenever you can get a two-break win against a server like that, it’s encouraging – especially where my levels are at, where my serving is at, where my returning is at, how I’m moving on the court. I’m pleased with my performance today.

“I think there are things I am trying to add into my game each week and I am trying to implement them this week.”

Shelton added: “Sometimes, things don’t work all the time. I make execution errors. I feel my intent has been really good this week and that has been a huge part of my success.”

Cerundolo stymies de Minaur to reach fifth ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal

Next, World No. 10 Alex de Minaur of Australia, playing in his fourth Indian Wells fourth round, attempted to advance to his first quarterfinal in the California palm desert. He came in on a seven-match winning streak against Argentine competition and faced No. 25 Francisco Cerundolo, who was 5-1 in his last six matches versus Top-10 competition at the ATP Masters 100 level.

As it happened, Cerundolo defeated de Minaur, 7-5, 6-3, in an hour and 50 minutes to reach his fifth ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal and to once again stymy the Aussie from succeeding at Indian Wells. Cerundolo overcame 39 unforced errors to hit 22 winners, saved 11 of 14 break points and converted six of seven break-point chances. He outpointed de Minaur 81-64.

“I am super happy. I knew it was going to be a battle today,” Cerundolo said during his on-court interview. “Alex is an amazing player, a fighter. He is having some great years, a Top 10 player and we had a battle in Australia and it went his side. Today, I had another match, another opportunity and I think I did really well. I am super happy to beat a high-quality player and be in the quarterfinals in Indian Wells.”

Draper bursts 2022 Indian Wells champion Fritz’s bubble

As night settled in on Indian Wells Tennis Garden and men’s play shifted to Stadium 1, 2022 Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz looked to join Shelton in the quarterfinals and to mark the fourth time in the last 20 editions an American duo makes Indian Wells men’s quarterfinals after 2005. Fritz took on World No. 14 Jack Draper, with the 23-year-old British No. 1 seeking his first Top-10 win since defeating Fritz in the second round at the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris last November.

The lefty Draper burst Fritz’s bubble in a big way, winning 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 18 minutes for his biggest victory of the season – and third career Top-5 triumph. He won seven consecutive games, from 4-5 in the first set to 4-0 in the second st, which allowed him to gain control of the fourth-round match. Draper, who improved to 3-2 lifetime against Fritz, is through to his third ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal.

From first ball to last, Draper came ready to play. He won 91 percent of his first-serve points, dropping just three points on his first serve; hit 23 winners – including eight aces – and converted three of four break points. He pressured Fritz into making 19 unforced errors and outpointed the American No. 1 61-53. In Thursday evening’s quarterfinal round, Draper will face Shelton in a battle of the lefties.

“I felt great. It is the best match I have played here so far in the three years I have been here,” Draper said during his on-court interview. “I was happy with the way I was sharp. I moved great and competed well. There were a few moments here and there which I was brave, which I spoke to my coach about before the match. When you have chances against these types of players. Taylor is such an amazing player, so to come through in the way I did I am very proud of that.”

Alcaraz tames Dimitrov, wind to maintain thoughts of a three-peat

Finally, two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, who brought a 3-2 head-to-head into his match against World No. 15 Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on Stadium 1 Wednesday evening, improved to 15-0 at Indian Wells since 2023.

The World No. 2 Alcaraz recorded his 50th ATP Masters 1000 hard-court win, which joins him with Jannik Sinner (53) as the only players born in the 2000s to achieve that feat, following his 6-1, 6-1 victory in an hour and 14 minutes under windy conditions. A forehand winner that capped a five-shot rally ended the entertaining–albeit one-sided – match, and all was well between Alcaraz and Dimitrov as they met at the net.

Alcaraz hit 20 winners – including nine from his forehand side – and committed only 14 unforced errors. He won 77 percent of his first-serve points, saved all three break points he faced from Dimitrov, broke the Bulgarian’s serve five times in 14 attempts and outpointed him 65-38. The victory moved Alcaraz to within three wins of a three-peat at Indian Wells. He will face Cerundolo in Thursday evening’s quarterfinal round.

“It’s always difficult to play against Grigor because he’s such a talented player,” Alcaraz said during his on-court interview, after breaking a two-match losing streak against Dimitrov. “He can do whatever he wants to do with the ball. The last two times I lost against him. Today, with the conditions, it was tough to survive. I was glad I was able to play long rallies. I’m just happy to get through [with the victory].”

Around the Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Showing fans good tennis has become commonplace for two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who has strung together 14 straight wins in the California palm desert. However, one moment from a year ago, a bee swarm that attacked Stadium 1 during the quarterfinal match between Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, provided some comic relief Monday evening as Alcaraz was engage in a third-round battle with Canada’s Denis Shapovalov. A group of fans attired in bee costumes caught Alcaraz’s attention.

“It is funny, because it helped me a lot, because during the whole first set, I was looking at them and laughing,” Alcaraz said Monday, after defeating Shapovalov to advance to the fourth round. “And I always say that when I’m laughing, when I’m having fun on the court, I show good tennis. So probably thanks to them I could show good tennis, as well.”

Wednesday’s BNP Paribas Open results

Thursday’s BNP Paribas Open order of play

By the numbers

With Daniil Medvedev‘s 6-4, 6-0 fourth-round win over Tommy Paul Tuesday night – his fourth career win in five tries against the American No. 2 – Medvedev is through to the Indian Wells quarterfinals for the third straight year after achieving runner-up finishes in each of the past two years.

“Quotable …”

“I think I’ve received a lot of love and great support in this tournament. Even playing Fritz last year here, I remember it was a great atmosphere. Even for me, you know, playing a player that’s it’s his home court almost.

“I think the crowd is really respectful. They really support great tennis, and they are here for, yeah, for the good matches. You know, me, I try to give up a fight and do as good as possible. Definitely seeing Danish flag, as you say, and people from Denmark traveling here to watch me play is really great.”

– World No. 13 Holger Rune of Denmark, during his post-match news conference following his 6-4, 6-4 win over World No. 9 Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, which ended the Greek’s seven-match winning streak.

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