Day 6 concluded the Spherical of 32 and noticed the favourites getting pushed, massive names wobbling, and a few outcomes that put shock names within the second week.
Carlos Alcaraz dropped his first set of the match and needed to dig deep to show round a feisty Arthur Rinderknech, whereas Novak Djokovic scraped by way of a three-setter that veered from managed to chaotic and again once more.
The shocks additionally got here; Rinky Hijikata landed a maiden High 10 win by outlasting Alexander Bublik, Cameron Norrie rekindled his Indian Wells type to take out Alex de Minaur, and Alex Michelsen produced a house upset by knocking off Taylor Fritz.
With Jack Draper and Daniil Medvedev shifting easily and Alcaraz organising Ruud, the Spherical of 16 is now stacked.
Right here’s the complete Day 6 recap, key matches, and the Day 7 lineup.
Day Six 2026 BNP Paribas Open Spherical of 32 Outcomes
Winner
Loser
Rating
(1) Carlos Alcaraz
(26) Arthur Rinderknech
6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2
(13) Casper Ruud
(24) Valentin Vacherot
3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Rinky Hijikata (Q)
(10) Alexander Bublik
6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-3
(27) Cameron Norrie
(6) Alex de Minaur
6-4, 6-4
(3) Novak Djokovic
Aleksandar Kovacevic
6-4, 1-6, 6-4
(14) Jack Draper
(19) Francisco Cerundolo
6-1, 7-5
(11) Daniil Medvedev
Sebastian Baez
6-4, 6-0
Alex Michelsen
(7) Taylor Fritz
6-4, 7-6(6)
Key Matches
(1) Carlos Alcaraz def. (26) Arthur Rinderknech 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2
Alcaraz confronted his hardest take a look at but however delivered a basic comeback. He trailed by a set and an early break within the second after Rinderknech’s aggressive serving and baseline play dominated early.
Alcaraz practically stole the primary set, combating again from 2-5 down to achieve set level at 6-5, however mishit a forehand. Rinderknech gained the tiebreak and broke to begin set two.
“I acquired in hassle… however I accepted it, saved going, stayed sturdy… began to play extra stable, ready for my possibilities.”
He broke 4 occasions throughout the ultimate two units, overwhelming Rinderknech after discovering his rhythm. A minor ankle misstep early in set two raised transient concern, however Alcaraz moved freely within the third and got here by way of a type of match ups he struggles with.
Subsequent: vs. Casper Ruud (5-1 H2H lead).
Rinky Hijikata (Q) def. (10) Alexander Bublik 6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-3
The Australian qualifier produced a giant upset, claiming his maiden High 10 win and reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 fourth spherical.
Hijikata rallied after dropping the first-set tiebreak, successful the second in one other breaker earlier than dominating the third.
The match lasted over 2.5 hours, with Hijikata’s stable play and composure shining in opposition to Bublik’s aptitude (together with his trademark racket deal with shot).
Subsequent: vs. Cameron Norrie.
(27) Cameron Norrie def. (6) Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4
The 2021 Indian Wells champion delivered a clear upset, saving 6 of seven break factors in 1 hour 39 minutes. Norrie improved to 3-2 H2H vs. de Minaur with disciplined returning and baseline management. Norrie enjoys Indian Wells and De Minaur’s type has taled off within the final couple of weeks so not an enormous shock as Norrie’s sport fashion is tremendous constant.
(3) Novak Djokovic def. Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
Djokovic got here by way of a tough encounter in opposition to fellow Serbian-speaker and long-time admirer, Kovacevic.
Djokovic gained the primary set however dipped within the second (successful only one sport as he struggled with an arm drawback). Within the decider, he steadied regardless of clutching his ankle after an extended level early, regaining vary within the desert circumstances.
Submit-match: “Successful ugly… that’s what counts.” Djokovic praised Kovacevic’s efficiency and famous his personal 34-1 report in matches after successful the opener. At 38, he grew to become the second-oldest to achieve Masters 1000 R16 since 1990 (behind Karlovic at 40 in 2019 IW).
Subsequent: vs. defending champion Jack Draper.
Different Notable Matches
(13) Casper Ruud def. (24) Valentin Vacherot 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Ruud overcame a gradual begin in opposition to the unseeded Vacherot, dropping the opener earlier than steadying his baseline sport and consistency.
(14) Jack Draper def. (19) Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 7-5. The defending champion superior convincingly, dominating early and holding agency within the second set for a stable straight-sets win.
(11) Daniil Medvedev def. Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-0. Medvedev dominated the night session on Stadium 2, reaching 15 wins in 2026 and he’s on a six-match streak from his Dubai title. He overpowered Baez after a aggressive first set.
Alex Michelsen def. (7) Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-6(6). An enormous home-crowd upset: The 21-year-old American beat the 2022 champion and No. 7 seed in 1 hour 39 minutes. Michelsen saved 7 of 8 break factors, gained 73% of first-serve factors (40/55), and held agency after dropping serve whereas serving for the match. Within the tiebreak, he saved a set level at 5-6 earlier than sealing it.
Highlights
Indian Wells 2026 Day 7 Spherical of 16 Matches
(25) Learner Tien vs (18) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
(21) Frances Tiafoe vs (4) Alexander Zverev
(30) Arthur Fils vs (9) Felix Auger-Aliassime
Joao Fonseca vs (2) Jannik Sinner
