Carlo Alcaraz has qualified for the semi-final of the Indian Wells Open after beating Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets on Thursday.

Alcaraz won the match 6-3 7-6, though it was not as straightforward as it had been in previous rounds, having battled from 1-4 down, trailing by a break for the first time in the tournament in the second set.

The Spaniard had to save break point in each of his first three service games, but after holding for 4-3 he managed to nudge ahead with the first break of the match after a clever volley.

Alcaraz successfully served for the set after that, but it was Cerundolo who broke first in the second before holding to make it 4-1. 

But the world number three was not to be denied and battled back to take the second set to a tiebreaker, in which he quickly built up a 5-2 lead on the way to victory.

"It was really difficult for me to start the match," said Alcaraz, who looked less comfortable in the windy weather than he did just a day before.

"He got a lot of chances in the first set," Alcaraz said. "I'm just pleased about saving all of them and taking the only one that I had.

"I didn't hit the ball as clear as yesterday, but I just did what I had to and that's what it's about."

Alcaraz will face British no.1 Jack Draper in the semi-final after he beat Ben Shelton in straight sets in his last-eight match.

Elsewhere, Daniil Medvedev will face Holger Rune in the other semi-final after beating Arthur Fils 6-4 2-6 7-6.

20 - Since the format’s introduction in 1990, only Rafael Nadal (21, Monte Carlo and Rome) has recorded 20 wins in fewer matches at a single ATP Masters 1000 event than Carlos Alcaraz (22) in Indian Wells. Playgrounds. #TennisParadise | @BNPPARIBASOPEN @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/gSSBLjd81I

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) March 14, 2025

Data debrief: Alcaraz three-peat is on

Since the format was introduced in 1990, only Rafael Nadal has recorded 20 wins in fewer matches in a single ATP Masters 1000 event than Carlos Alcaraz (22) in Indian Wells.

With Alcaraz joining Draper and Holger Rune in the last four, this year's Indian Wells Open is the first ATP Masters 1000 or Grand Slam event when three or more of the semi-finalists are born in the 2000s.

Alcaraz's victory, meanwhile, keeps his hopes of a third consecutive Indian Wells title alive.