Alcaraz snaps Sinner's winning streak in show-stopping Indian Wells SF

Carlos Alcaraz delivered a brilliantly measured response to Jannik Sinner's hot start to defeat the Italian in a thrill-a-minute semi-final on Saturday at the BNP Paribas Open. 

Alcaraz's 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory snapped Sinner's 19-match winning streak and ended the Italian's perfect 16-0 start to the 2024 season. By levelling the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 4-4, Alcaraz also denied Sinner the opportunity to pass him for World No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

"I stayed strong mentally," said Alcaraz, who pointed to his head after the win. "I think that's a really important part in this game. You have to be strong mentally if you want to overcome these kind of matches, a set down against someone that's playing an unbelievable game. I'm really happy with the things that I've done after that.

"I changed my style a little bit, I changed my game a little bit and I think it worked very well. I'm really happy to beat Jannik and be in the final again."

This is the second straight year in which Alcaraz defeated his good friend and rival in the Indian Wells semi-finals, and he will now seek to retain his title at the ATP Masters 1000 in Sunday's final against Daniil Medvedev, who later overcame home favourite Tommy Paul 1-6, 7-6(3), 6-2. The first man to reach the Indian Wells final as defending champion since Roger Federer in 2018, the Spaniard will bring an 11-match winning streak at the event into the title round, where he will seek his first trophy since Wimbledon.

Alcaraz advanced to his his sixth ATP Masters 1000 final (4-1), denying Sinner his fourth (1-2). It is Alcaraz's first tour-level final since he lost to Novak Djokovic last August in a Cincinnati epic; he had been 0-4 in semi-finals since.

First Set
Sinner won four consecutive games after the rain delay to claim a 6-1 opening set in dominant fashion. The Italian won five games in a row in total, beginning with a service hold just before passing showers halted play on the Indian Wells stadium court.

Sinner's consistency and depth of shot troubled Alcaraz in the 37-minute set, with the third seed also using his power to move Alcaraz around the baseline. In a near-flawless start, he hit six winners to Alcaraz's one, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

He faced just one break point in the opener, saving it at 3-1 to consolidate his first break of the set.

Second Set
Alcaraz fought through deuce in the opening game of set two and earned a crucial hold to stem the tide. He won a 6-3 set by changing the complexion of the rallies, growing into the baseline points and introducing more variety into his game.

A parade of hot shots ensued as both players showcased their all-court games, including a point-of-the-season contender when the speedy Sinner prevailed in a cat-and-mouse exchange in the frontcourt. Alcaraz saved break points at both 4-2 and 5-3, nailing an all-or-nothing backhand winner in the latter game before clinching the set with an untouchable drop shot.

The opponents combined for 19 net points in a hugely entertaining set, with Alcaraz winning nine of his 12 ventures forward.

"I had defend better than I did in the first set," he said of the changes he introduced to spark his comeback. "I had to put more balls in, try to stay strong on the court... I changed my return style. I was more on the back of the court, putting some returns in, getting myself more in the rallies."

Alcaraz also eliminated the early errors that plagued him in the opening set and began to find his footing in long rallies.

THIS MATCH RIGHT NOW 🔥@carlosalcaraz leads 3-1 in the third!@BNPPARIBASOPEN | #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/sD69WERKNR

— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 17, 2024

Third Set
Alcaraz continued to mix up his tactics in the final set and lost just three points on serve in a one-sided decider. By moving back to "Medvedev territory" on return, he hurt Sinner with big cuts to begin the point and often began the rallies on the front foot.

Alcaraz landed the crucial blow in another must-see point to break for 2-1: After chasing down a net cord and stretching for an ingenious drop volley, he kept cool after Sinner's diving stab to volley into the open court.

The Italian's level dropped as Alcaraz rattled off five straight games to lead 5-1, and the defending champion held his nerve to seal the victory on his third match point after two hours, five minutes.