Medvedev Ends Alcaraz’s Perfect Season, Sets Up Indian Wells Final with Sinner

Daniil Medvedev delivered a stunning upset at the BNP Paribas Open, defeating World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 7-6(3) in the semi-finals. The victory ended Alcaraz’s 16-match winning streak to start the 2026 season and secured Medvedev’s place in the final against Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz Acknowledges Medvedev’s Dominance

Alcaraz, who had previously expressed frustration with the pressure of being the top-ranked player, admitted he was surprised by the level of play from Medvedev. “I have never seen Daniil playing like this,” Alcaraz stated. “I knew at the beginning that he was going to play aggressive, but how, the way he did it, surprised me a lot. He didn’t even miss.”

The Spaniard noted Medvedev’s relentless aggression and ability to find solutions to his shots. Despite the loss, Alcaraz remained optimistic, emphasizing that opponents must play at their absolute best to defeat him. “I have been playing great tennis, and I just show the players and show the people that if they aim for to beat me, they have to play at their best level one hour and a half, two hours in every match,” he added.

Medvedev’s Aggressive Strategy Pays Off

Medvedev’s aggressive shotmaking and composure under pressure were key to his success. He converted both break points he created and won 74% of his second-serve points, according to ATP Stats. This victory marks Medvedev’s first ATP Masters 1000 final appearance in two years.

Looking Ahead: Medvedev vs. Sinner

Medvedev will now face Jannik Sinner in the final on Sunday, after Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-4 in his semi-final match. The New York Times reports Medvedev expressed excitement about the opportunity to compete against Sinner, alongside Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz Focused on Long-Term Goals

Despite the end of his winning streak, Alcaraz remains focused on achieving his broader goals. “I’m not thinking about I need to win or I have to win. It’s just about chasing my goals, chasing what I just set up before every tournament,” he said.

Source: The New York Times, ATP Tour, Yahoo Sports