Carlos Alcaraz says he will try "not to think" about the possibility of joining Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the Indian Wells Masters history books but admits he would absolutely love to join the two tennis giants in emulating a notable record.

Carlos Alcaraz began his bid for an Indian Wells three-peat with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Quentin Halys in the first round on Saturday.

Five-time champion Novak Djokovic tumbled out of the Indian Wells ATP Masters on Saturday, falling in his first match to lucky loser Botic van de Zandschulp as two-time defending champ Carlos Alcaraz advanced.

Carlos Alcaraz got his Indian Wells title defence off to a flying start with a 6-4, 6-2 win against France’s Quentin Halys. Alcaraz has won the last two editions of the Indian Wells tournament, but he expressed his surprise that a new surface had been laid for this year’s event.

Carlos Alcaraz cruised to a 6-4 6-2 win against France's Quentin Halys to get his Indian Wells title defence underway.