Medvedev ousts Alcaraz to set Indian Wells clash with Sinner

· CNA · Join
Mar 12, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) during his quarterfinal match as he defeated Jack Draper (GBR) in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 12, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) celebrates as he defeated Cameron Norrie (GBR) during his quarterfinal match in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Read a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST

INDIAN WELLS, California, March 14 : Carlos Alcaraz's bid for a third consecutive Indian Wells title was brought to a halt by a ruthless Daniil Medvedev, who swept past the world number one 6-3 7-6(3) to set up a blockbuster final against Jannik Sinner, who was equally impressive in brushing aside Alexander Zverev 6-2 6-4.

The world number two Sinner fired eight aces, produced 18 winners and committed just 13 unforced errors, eight fewer than his opponent, while winning seven of his eight net points and extending his stranglehold over the German to six consecutive victories.

Zverev showed early promise as he grabbed the lead in the opening set, but Sinner broke twice to close out the opening set before breaking again at 4-3 in the second, en route to sealing the match.

The 24-year-old Italian has not dropped a single set throughout the tournament, a run of dominance that underlines his supremacy on hard courts.

CNA Games

Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time

Buzzword
Create words using the given letters

Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser

Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge

Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less

In the second semifinal of the day, Medvedev played smartly to break Alcaraz early and take a 3-1 lead, never relinquishing his advantage to claim the opening set.

The second set was a far more dramatic affair. The world number one, Alcaraz raised his level to break Medvedev and surge to a 3-1 lead, only for the 30-year-old Russian to dig deep and level at 3-3, taking advantage of the Spaniard's unforced errors.

The pair traded blows in an absorbing back-and-forth, ultimately forcing a tiebreak. There, Medvedev was ruthless to seal his place in the final.

Source: Reuters

Newsletter

Recommended Read

Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read

A single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.

Sign up for our newsletters

Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox

Subscribe here

Get the CNA app

Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories

Download here

Get WhatsApp alerts

Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app

Join here