The top seeded Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev are in the final of the ATP Masters in Indian Wells.
World number two Alcarez won his semi-final against Jannik Sinner (Italy/No. 11) 7:6 (7:4), 6:3 and reached his third final of the year. With a final win, the 19-year-old Spaniard would return to the top of the ATP rankings.
Previously, Medvedev had continued his impressive winning streak. The 27-year-old former world number one defeated the American Francis Tiafoe 7: 5, 7: 6 (7: 4) in the semi-finals and celebrated his 19th consecutive victory on the tour. Both finalists are reaching for their first triumph at Indian Wells.
“I’m an ambitious guy. I want to play against the best players in the world and I would say that Daniil is the best player at the moment,” said Alcaraz, who had to fend off a set ball against Sinner in the first round.
Medvedev is aiming for the fourth title in a row
Medvedev, who also defeated the German Olympic champion Alexander Zverev in the round of 16, is aiming for the fourth tournament victory in a row on Monday night. Most recently, he had won the ATP events in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai. The Russian won the only duel with Alcaraz in Wimbledon in 2021.
Tiafoe put on a spirited performance in front of an enthusiastic California crowd, but learned the hard way in the crucial stages of the match. Medvedev struggled to close the sack and gave up two holds towards the end of the game but eventually used his eighth match point in the tie-break.
At the parallel WTA tournament in Indian Wells, Wimbledon champion Yelena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) and Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will meet in the final on Sunday.
