Daniil Medvedev Stops Carlos Alcaraz's Run at Indian Wells

Daniil Medvedev ended Carlos Alcaraz's perfect start to the 2026 season, shocking the Spaniard with a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory in the 2026 BNP Paribas Open semi-final in Indian Wells, Sunday WIB.

Medvedev ended the 16-match winning streak held by the world number one 22-year-old with his first defeat of the season.

"Playing against someone like Carlos, you play many times, you lose many times," Medvedev said, quoted by the ATP.

"He's an amazing player with his shot, his defense, his attack, his returns, everything is amazing. So you have to be at your best."

Medvedev controlled the match with an aggressive game and showed the tennis game that once brought him to the world No. 1.

In the second set, Medvedev was behind a break early and then faced a double break at 4-5.

He then served with confidence and forced Alcaraz to make mistakes in both points, thus thwarting Alcaraz's chances to make a comeback.

Medvedev won four of the five break points he faced overall, and managed to capitalize on both opportunities he created, according to ATP statistics. He also won 74 percent (23/31) of the points from his second serve.

The 30-year-old's composure allowed him to close out the straight-set victory in an hour and 37 minutes as well as avenge his defeats against the Spaniard in the Indian Wells finals in 2023 and 2024.

"I survived as best I could in the second set," Medvedev said.

"But I played tennis really well, really happy to beat someone as strong as him."

With the victory, Medvedev advanced to his first Masters 1000 final since reaching the Indian Wells final in 2024.

The former world number one will meet Jannik Sinner in Sunday's final, with the Italian leading 8-7 in their head to head.

With his victory over Alcaraz, Medvedev won his 18th victory this season, which is the most wins on the tour.

Moving into his third final of the season, Medvedev will now attempt to maintain his perfect record in the 2026 final after winning the ATP 250 tournament in Brisbane and the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai.

The final at the ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells will mark the first meeting between Sinner and Medvedev since 2024.

The two have not lost a set in two weeks in the California desert.

"If I'm able to maintain the level of play I've shown throughout the tournament, and maybe even improve on it, I'll have a chance," Medvedev said.