The Russian tennis player defeated Alcaraz in the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters, winning in two sets – 6:3, 7:6 (3), after an hour and 37 minutes of play.
Alcaraz had a perfect 17:0 record in 2026, and the tennis world was already expecting a new spectacle and a potential duel with Janik Siner. However, Medvedev played an exceptionally high-quality match, at a high level, and reminded of his best games from the period when he was world number one and when he won his first and so far only Grand Slam trophy – the US Open.
The Russian is in great form, now on a streak of nine consecutive wins, or 18 sets won in a row.
The first set was decided by the fourth game, in which Danil made a break and routinely saved it until the end.
Alcaraz took a 3:1 lead in the second half of the game, but Medvedev quickly came back and tied the game at 3:3. At 5:4, the world number one missed two set points, so the match went into a tie-break.
Carlos saved the first serve, taking a 1-0 lead, and then the Russian tied six points and came up with five consecutive match points. The Spaniard saved the first two with serves, but Danil remained calm and finished the job with an excellent serve along the T line.
"He's an incredible player, with great shots, great defense, offense, rebounding – he has it all. That's why you have to be at your best," Danil said immediately after the match, adding:
"I held on as best I could in the second set. I'm playing great tennis and I'm overjoyed to have beaten someone as strong as him," he said.
Medvedev will try to win his third trophy this season, after conquering Brisbane and Dubai.
"If I can maintain the level I had during the tournament and maybe even raise it, I'll have my chances."
Medvedev recorded his eighth victory over the world number one, and interestingly, he has the same number of losses against players at the top of the ATP list. With the triumph over the Spaniard, he will return to the Top 10 on Monday.
He will play against Janik Siner for the trophy. The final is scheduled for Sunday at 11 pm local time. Three hours earlier, Arina Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina meet in the women's final.
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