California [US], March 9 (ANI): Young Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz started his Indian Wells Open title defence with a come-from-behind win over Matteo Arnaldi on Saturday

After losing a closely fought and entertaining first set, Alcaraz went undefeated for nine successive games to secure a 6-7(5), 6-0, 6-1 victory.

With this victory, Alcaraz is 18-2 in his first-round matches this year and will be playing Felix Auger-Aliassime in the next round on Sunday.

Following his win, Alcaraz was quoted as saying by ATP, "I had to change just a few things. I made a few mistakes in the first set... I had to put in more first serves in the second and third set, and I think that was a big key to improving my level a little bit, to be in the rallies -- long rallies as well, to get the rhythm, and I am really happy to get it at the end."

Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner also beat Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 6-0 in the second round and earned his ticket to round three.

Earlier on Friday, home favourite Ben Shelton secured a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win against the Czech Republic's Jakub Mensik. It is his fourth attempt, in which he landed his first win against a youngster. Shelton's next challenger for a place in pre-quarters is 22nd-seed Francisco Cerundolo.

Also on Friday, Andrey Rublev survived some early scares from British tennis star Andy Murray before using his massive forehand to secure an opening-round win by 7-6(3), 6-1. Rublev has an upper hand of 2-1 against the British tennis icon in their head-to-head battles.