Alcaraz sinks Sinner in straight sets to join Medvedev in Indian Wells final

Carlos Alcaraz is making up for lost time.

Alcaraz, who because of leg injuries missed the Nitto ATP Finals last fall and the Australian Open at the start of this season, is stockpiling ranking points upon his return to tennis as he tries to regain the world No 1 spot. The 19-year-old, already a title winner in Buenos Aires and a runner-up in Rio de Janeiro, has at least 600 more ranking points coming his way after reaching the BNP Paribas Open final with a 7-6(4), 6-3 defeat of Jannik Sinner on Saturday evening.

Alcaraz advanced after one hour and 52 minutes of play.

Alcaraz gave back a break in the first set, but he recovered to win the ensuing tiebreaker without too much trouble. From there it was mostly one-way traffic in the second set for the Spaniard. He broke Sinner right away en route to a 3-0 lead and never looked back.

“I feel great,” Alcaraz said afterward. “This is a tournament that I love playing. I have great memories — my first semifinal for a Masters 1000 here (last year) against [Rafael Nadal]. It was really special for me. Coming back this year and making final is really special moment for me.”

Alcaraz vs Medvedev in Sunday’s final

Alcaraz will face Daniil Medvedev in what is a blockbuster final matchup.

With a win on Sunday, Alcaraz will pocket the maximum 1,000 ranking points from Indian Wells and surpass Novak Djokovic in the top spot. The Spaniard will remain No 2 if he loses. As for Medvedev, he is trying to extend his winning streaks to 20 matches and four titles. The world No 6 is coming off back-to-back-to-back triumphs in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai.

Earlier in the tournament Alcaraz defeated Australian qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis (6-3, 6-3), Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, the No 31 seed (7-6 (4), 6-3), Jack Draper (6-2, 2-0 ret.) and Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, the No 8 seed (6-4, 6-4).

It was still a great fortnight for Sinner, who booked his spot in the semis by beating Frenchman Richard Gasquet (6-3, 7-6 (2)), Frenchman Adrian Mannarino (7-6 (7), 6-4), Swiss Stan Wawrinka (6-1, 6-4) and American Taylor Fritz, the No 4 seed (6-4, 4-6, 6-4).

Indian Wells Masters, other semi-final result:

• Daniil Medvedev beat Frances Tiafoe (14): 7-5, 7-6 (4)

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