Rune roars past Medvedev into Indian Wells final

Holger Rune reached the final of the BNP Paribas Open by beating Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-4 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Palm Springs, California on Saturday afternoon.

In a contest that lasted one hour and 38 minutes, Rune hit 20 winners compared to Medvedev’s 15. It was a rematch of the 2024 quarter-finals, won by Medvedev in straight sets. The Russian finished runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz each of the previous two years in the desert, but he was denied a return trip to the final.

After exchanging breaks early in the first set, Rune took control with another scalp of the Medvedev serve at 5-5. The world No 13 was in charge the rest of the way, breaking at love for a 2-1 advantage in the third and holding easily to the finish line.

Rune’s game-plan was clear and well executed. He was content to play conservatively in long rallies from the back of the court, with Medvedev completely unable to hit any winners through the slow desert conditions. The Dane offered a steady diet of slice backhands, biding his time until he finally got a short forehand — at which point he would get more aggressive.

That plan worked to perfection and Medvedev had no answer.

“Obviously I have a lot of respect for Daniil,” the No 11 seed said. “He’s a very difficult player to play. He makes you play uncomfortable shots. It’s a very specific tactical plan that [my coach] and I made yesterday. I tried to play as good as possible, making it difficult for him, trying to, you know, play different kind of shots to mix up the rhythm in the game.

“I think I did it well. I stayed very patient — very composed mentally. I’m very happy to get through.”

Rune is now into his fourth ATP Masters 1000 final — and his first since losing to Medvedev in Rome two years ago.

With the win – his 150th on tour – Rune guarantees the first final above ATP 500 level between players born in the 21st century, as both his potential opponents were also born after the turn of the millennium – Carlos Alcaraz in 2003, Jack Draper in 2001.

Medvedev’s losing streak in semi-finals continues; this is his fifth loss in a row, with his last final coming in Indian Wells 12 months ago. He can perhaps take heart from the fact that Rune’s streak was even longer — the Dane was on a seven-match losing streak in semi-finals and had not reached a final since Brisbane in January 2024.

Prior to Saturday’s result, Rune beat Frenchman Corentin Moutet (6-2, 6-4), Frenchman Ugo Humbert, the No 18 seed (5-7, 6-4, 7-5), Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, the No 8 seed (6-4, 6-4) and Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor (5-7, 6-0, 6-3).

Medvedev advanced to the quarter-finals with wins over China’s Yunchaokete Bu (6-2, 6-2), American Alex Michelsen, the No 31 seed (2-0 ret.), American Tommy Paul, the No 10 seed (6-4, 6-0) and Frenchman Arthur Fils, the No 20 seed (6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7)).

Indian Wells Masters 1000, other semi-final result:

• Jack Draper vs. Carlos Alcaraz

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