<p>In a replay of last year’s top event, fourth seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain will square off in the Indian Wells final after both won close three-setters. In the second semifinal, Medvedev defeated American Tommy Paul 1-6 7-6(3) 6-2, after Alcaraz overcame Jannik Sinner 1-6 6-3 6-2.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-521258″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/theindiaprint.com-indian-wells-alcaraz-defeats-sinner-to-reschedule-the-medvedev-final-2024-3largeim-750×501.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com indian wells alcaraz defeats sinner to reschedule the medvedev final 2024 3largeim” width=”994″ height=”664″ title=”Indian Wells: Alcaraz defeats Sinner to reschedule the Medvedev final 15″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/theindiaprint.com-indian-wells-alcaraz-defeats-sinner-to-reschedule-the-medvedev-final-2024-3largeim-750×501.jpg 750w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/theindiaprint.com-indian-wells-alcaraz-defeats-sinner-to-reschedule-the-medvedev-final-2024-3largeim.jpg 764w” sizes=”(max-width: 994px) 100vw, 994px” /></p>
<p>The Australian Open champion Sinner, who has been the most hot player on the circuit this year, was ready to win the match when the Spaniard’s forehand went long to close the first set, which lasted 34 minutes and was delayed for three hours due to rain.</p>
<p>In order to force a showdown between the youthful adversaries, Alcaraz would eventually break serve with a strong forehand that set up a put-away volley for a 3-1 second set lead. He would also smash a drop shot that even the swift Sinner refrained from trying to sprint down. In the third set, Sinner was serving when the Italian lunged to save a break point ball close to the net, his palms scratching the abrasive Indian Wells hard court.</p>
<p>After the interchange, Sinner seemed concerned by his left hand, and Alcaraz’s acrobatic volley sealed the break. A suddenly erratic Sinner gave away a double break and a 4-1 lead on a forehand erroneous by Alcaraz. Sinner was prevented from regaining his world No. 2 ranking and from depriving Alcaraz a 20th straight victory dating back to last year with a crosscourt forehand winner. Alcaraz said, “I stayed strong mentally, and that’s very important,” after breaking his opponent’s 16-match winning run this season.</p>
<p>With Paul off to a fast start, losing only one game in the second set before the Russian recovered, Medvedev managed a similar comeback victory. In the second set, Paul forced a tiebreaker by saving two set chances, but Medvedev responded with five consecutive points to equal the score at one.</p>
<p>In the first game of the third set, Paul was broken for the fourth time in as many games. The match was essentially one-sided, with Medvedev winning to keep his hopes of winning the title match against Alcaraz alive.</p>
Indian Wells: Alcaraz defeats Sinner to reschedule the Medvedev final
