INDIAN WELLS: Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz handed Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner his first defeat of 2024 on Saturday to arrange an Indian Wells last in opposition to Daniil Medvedev.
Alcaraz’s 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory ended Sinner’s 19-match profitable streak, together with a 16-0 begin to the yr, and ensures Alcaraz will stay No. 2 on this planet rankings subsequent week.
“To have the ability to finish one thing like this, it’s unimaginable for me,” Spain’s Alcaraz stated of busting the Italian’s streak.
Sunday’s last in opposition to fourth-seeded Russian Medvedev is a repeat of final yr’s championship decider.
Medvedev additionally needed to combat again in a 1-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 victory over Seventeenth-ranked American Tommy Paul. Within the last he’ll be out to thwart Alcaraz’s bid to grow to be the primary repeat Indian Wells ATP champion since Novak Djokovic received three straight titles from 2014-2016.
Alcaraz and Sinner’s semifinal was disrupted by a three-hour rain delay at 2-1 within the first set however proved well worth the wait because the 20-something stars placed on a present.
“Matches with Jannik are at all times particular,” Alcaraz stated. “We all know we’ve got to play at our highest stage to win. We’ve got to place magic on the court docket, unbelievable factors and for the group it’s also fantastic.”
Sinner rapidly seized the initiative when play resumed, profitable 4 straight video games to pocket the primary set.
He saved the one break level he confronted, and gained the insurance coverage break for a 5-1 lead, pouncing on a brief ball for a stinging cross-court passing winner on break level.
Alcaraz turned it round within the second set with a savvy change of favor, backing as much as give himself extra time on the returns and regularly working his approach into the match.
He broke Sinner with a deep volley winner for a 3-1 lead and held for 4-1 in a sport that had followers on their toes cheering an exciting rally on the web.
He saved break factors within the seventh and ninth video games earlier than sealing the set with a drop-shot winner.
“I stayed robust mentally,” Alcaraz stated. “I believe that’s a very vital half on this sport.
“This type of match, a set down enjoying in opposition to somebody that’s enjoying an unbelievable sport — I’m actually proud of the issues I’ve executed.
“I modified my fashion a little bit bit, I modified my sport a little bit bit, and I believe it labored very, very nicely,” stated Alcaraz, who’s chasing his first title since profitable Wimbledon final yr.
Sinner’s errors had been multiplying within the third set and Alcaraz broke within the third sport, delivering a excessive backhand volley to finish one other scrambling rally.
World No. 3 Sinner, who had dived to get a ball again, got here up shaking out his proper arm and rubbing his elbow.
He all of the sudden was powerless to cease Alcaraz, who received 5 straight video games, clinching the match with a forehand winner.
It was the second straight yr that Alcaraz stopped Sinner within the Indian Wells semifinals.
“It’s for positive not the ending that I wished, however enjoying in opposition to him, it’s at all times robust,” Sinner stated. “I attempted to play good tennis, which I’ve executed, particularly within the first set.
“Then I made a few errors. The momentum has modified. He raised his stage.”
Medvedev stated the chilly night circumstances made it onerous to discover a groove within the opening set in opposition to Paul, however like Alcaraz he was in a position to make some changes.
He received the primary 4 video games of the second set however Paul attacked the online aggressively to claw again and pressure the tiebreaker, during which the American rolled his ankle on the sixth level.
Medvedev received the final 5 factors of the tiebreaker to stage the match and seized a 5-1 lead within the third, lastly warding off a pair of break factors within the last sport to shut it out.
The reward is an opportunity to avenge final yr’s loss to Alcaraz and declare the one one of many six hardcourt Masters 1000 titles he has but to win.
“I do know what occurred final yr so I’m going to attempt my greatest to attempt to flip this round, to play higher, to play stronger, extra on the traces, hit extra aces, stuff like this,” Medvedev stated. “Hopefully I can do it.”
