INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – Daniil Medvedev delivered a stunning upset in the California desert on Saturday, defeating world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 7-6(3) in the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open. The victory not only avenges losses to Alcaraz in the 2023 and 2024 Indian Wells finals, but similarly marks Medvedev’s return to the top 10 of the ATP rankings for the first time since July. Medvedev will face Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final after Sinner dispatched Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-4 in the day’s earlier semifinal.
The match saw a resurgent Medvedev, displaying a blend of aggressive power and strategic court coverage that Alcaraz struggled to counter. The Russian’s performance, described by Alcaraz himself as something he’d “never seen before,” was built on a strong serve and relentless pressure, particularly on Alcaraz’s backhand.
Medvedev seized control early, breaking Alcaraz’s serve in the third game and racing to a 4-1 lead in the first set. Alcaraz, typically sharp at the net, appeared slightly off his game, and his reaction time at the baseline was noticeably slower than usual. The first set concluded swiftly, 6-3, in just 35 minutes, with Medvedev dictating the pace and limiting Alcaraz to few opportunities.
The second set proved more competitive, with Alcaraz attempting to regain his footing and find a rhythm. He briefly found some success, breaking Medvedev’s serve and taking a 3-1 lead. But, Medvedev remained unflappable, immediately breaking back and maintaining his composure under pressure. Alcaraz, despite showing flashes of brilliance and engaging the crowd with impressive shots, couldn’t sustain the momentum.
A tiebreak ultimately decided the second set, and it was Medvedev who rose to the occasion. Capitalizing on a series of errors from Alcaraz, the Russian secured the tiebreak 7-3, closing out the match and securing his place in the final. “He deployed a great level of tennis; the key was that I served very well, and I was aggressive,” Medvedev said after the match. “I’ve beaten Alcaraz, but there’s still one more match to play.”
A Return to Form for Medvedev
This victory represents a significant resurgence for Medvedev, who has been steadily climbing the rankings in 2026. He began the year with a title win at the Brisbane International in Australia and followed that up with another championship at the Dubai Tennis Championships earlier this month. His aggressive style and unwavering focus have been key to his recent success, and he appears to be peaking at the right time.
For Alcaraz, the loss ends a 16-match winning streak and dashes his hopes of securing a third consecutive title in Indian Wells. Although he demonstrated resilience and fought hard, he was ultimately unable to overcome Medvedev’s dominant performance. The Spaniard acknowledged Medvedev’s superiority, stating, “I’ve never seen him play like that, all the credit goes to him.”
Sinner Advances with Straight-Set Victory
Earlier on Saturday, Jannik Sinner continued his impressive run through the tournament with a straightforward 6-2, 6-4 victory over Alexander Zverev. Sinner’s dominant performance was characterized by consistent serving and aggressive baseline play. Zverev, despite a strong start with his serve, appeared to fade as the match progressed, struggling to maintain his energy levels and accuracy.
Sinner’s win sets up a highly anticipated final against Medvedev. The two players have developed a competitive rivalry in recent years, and their contrasting styles promise a compelling matchup. Sinner will be aiming for his first title in Indian Wells, while Medvedev will be looking to add another Masters 1000 trophy to his collection.
The women’s final will also be a rematch, featuring Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. Rybakina currently holds a head-to-head advantage, having defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final and in Indian Wells in 2023. Sabalenka will be seeking revenge in California, where she has previously fallen short in two finals.
The men’s final between Medvedev and Sinner is scheduled for Sunday at 22:00 local time (PDT), which is 06:00 UTC on Monday. Fans can follow the match on Movistar+ in Spain and through other international broadcasters.
This tournament has already delivered several compelling storylines, and the final promises to be another thrilling chapter. With both Medvedev and Sinner playing at a high level, the BNP Paribas Open is poised to conclude with a memorable championship match.
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