In the American desert, the king is Carlos Alcaraz.
Title holder and now undefeated for eleven matches at Indian Wells, the world number two inflicted Jannik Sinner, winner of the Australian Open, with his first defeat of the year 2024, on the night of Saturday to Sunday.
The victory of Alcaraz (1-6, 6-3, 6-2) in the semi-final ended Sinner's series of 19 successes, and ensures that the Spaniard (20 years old) remains in second position in the world rankings next week.
Incredible Stuff 🙌@CarlosAlcaraz rallies to defeat Sinner 1-6 6-3 6-2 in an Indian Wells CLASSIC!#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/Ouk0hDswUg
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 17, 2024
“It’s incredible for me to be able to put an end to such a series,” he declared to the press, who was left with two defeats in a row against his young rival (22 years old).
Dominated in the first round, the protégé of Juan Carlos Ferrero had difficulty getting into the match, interrupted for three hours because of the rain.
But the wait was worth it, because the two young stars put on a show.
“Matches with Jannik are always special,” commented Alcaraz.
I always demand the best from myself against him and it's the same for him.
We put magic on the pitch, incredible points and for the public, it's also wonderful.
".
THIS.
IS.
TENNIS.
🔥 @janniksin @carlosalcaraz 🔥#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/TrU9ETaB7Y
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 17, 2024
Sinner quickly took the initiative, using her deep hitting and precision to win four straight games and take the first set.
He saved the only break point he faced, and outdistanced his opponent 5-1, throwing himself on a short ball for a cross-court passing winner on the break point.
“I remained mentally strong”
Alcaraz reacted in the second set by changing his style, moving back to give himself more time on returns and thus gradually return to the match.
He broke Sinner with a deep volley winner for a 3-1 lead and held on for 4-1.
The Spaniard saved several break points in the 7th and 9th games and concluded the set with a winning shot.
“I stayed mentally strong,” Alcaraz said.
I think it's a very important element in this match.
This kind of match, with a set behind against someone who plays an incredible game, I'm really happy with what I did.
»
Some imprecise forehands from Sinner allowed the Murcian to dominate the third game of the last set and obtain the break thanks to a high backhand volley to end another difficult rally.
Sinner suddenly seemed powerless to stop Alcaraz, who won five consecutive games and ended up winning the game thanks to a victorious forehand on his third match point.
This is the second year in a row that Alcaraz has stopped Sinner in the semi-finals of Indian Wells.
“It’s definitely not the ending I wanted, but playing against him is always difficult,” Sinner reacted.
I tried to play good tennis, which I did, especially in the first set.
Then I made a few mistakes.
The dynamic has changed.
He raised his level.
»
Medvedev for a revenge in the final
This Sunday evening (at 10 p.m. in France), “Carlitos” will meet Daniil Medvedev, difficult winner over Tommy Paul during the second semi-final (1-6, 7-6, 6-2), for a remake of the final last year in Indian Wells.
Struggling in the cold conditions of the evening, the Russian had difficulty getting into the game, but like Alcaraz, the world number four was able to adjust.
The 28-year-old right-hander won the first four games of the second set, but Paul attacked at the net to come back and force the tiebreaker, in which the American twisted his ankle on the sixth point.
Medvedev then won the last five points of the tiebreaker to tie the match at one set before flying through the third set.
He now has a chance to gain revenge for last year's loss to Alcaraz and win the only one of the six Masters 1000 hard-court titles he has yet to win.
“I know what happened last year, so I'm going to do my best to try to reverse the trend, play better, play harder, play more on the lines, hit more aces, things like that,” Medvedev said.
“I hope I can do it.”
In the final, he will try to prevent Alcaraz from becoming the first player to keep his title at Indian Wells since Novak Djokovic's three consecutive crowns from 2014 to 2016.