Medvedev inflicts first defeat of the year on Alcaraz

London [UK], March 16: Daniil Medvedev condemned world number one Carlos Alcaraz to his first defeat of 2026 to reach the final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
The 30-year-old held his nerve to see out a 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) victory over Alcaraz, who was not at his best, particularly in the second set tie-break.
Serving to save the first set at 2-5 after being broken in the fourth game, Alcaraz held to love, clinching the game with a stunning cross-court forehand to put a measure of pressure back on the world number 11, although Medvedev responded in determined fashion to take it 6-3.
The Spaniard turned the screw at the start of the second set, breaking at the second time of asking to go 3-1 ahead, although he surrendered his advantage immediately, Medvedev finding a fine return to force an error on game-point.
Alcaraz scrapped his way to a 5-4 lead, but was unable to take either of two set points on Medvedev's service, and although he held to love to go 6-5 ahead, his opponent powered his way to victory in the tie-break.
Earlier, world number two Jannik Sinner booked his place in the final with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over fourth seed Alexander Zverev.
The Italian took an hour and 23 minutes to see off the German, converting three of the six break points he created to reach the final for the first time in relative comfort.
He broke in the fifth and seventh games on his way to taking the first set, and having survived a break point at 2-3, repeated the feat to go 4-3 ahead in the second before closing out the match.
Source: Qatar Tribune