Carlos Alcaraz’s unbeaten run has come to an finish.
Carlos Alcaraz’s unbeaten run in 2026 is over (Picture: Getty)
Carlos Alcaraz’s unbelievable unbeaten run in 2026 has formally come to an finish by the hands of Daniil Medvedev. The world No. 1 got here into Saturday’s Indian Wells closing with a 16-0 document for the season up to now, having lifted trophies on the Australian Open – the place he accomplished the profession Grand Slam – and the ATP 500 occasion in Doha.
However Medvedev was additionally on a match-winning streak of his personal after lifting the trophy in Dubai final month, and one thing needed to give. With Jannik Sinner already safely by to Sunday’s closing and awaiting the winner of the second semi, the tennis world readied itself for one more ‘Sincaraz’ battle, however Medvedev spoiled the get together. The No. 11 seed has been relentless in Indian Wells this fortnight, and has reached the ultimate with out dropping a set, making his largest assertion but as he beat Alcaraz 6-3 7-6(3).
The Spaniard was damaged from 40-15 up within the fourth recreation of the match, spraying errors to present Medvedev the lead. “Nice returns, Daniil,” Medvedev’s coach, Thomas Johansson, informed him throughout the recreation. Alcaraz was in additional hassle as he dug himself out of a gap at 0-30 a few video games later, maintaining his deficit to 1 break.
That was greater than sufficient for two-time runner-up Medvedev – who coincidentally misplaced to Alcaraz within the 2023 and 2024 finals – as he served out the opening set in a bit over half an hour. There was plenty of back-and-forth between Alcaraz and his staff, as the highest seed’s coach tried to assist him decide his stage up.
It labored, solely momentarily. Alcaraz bought the primary break in set two, however by no means seemed absolutely in management, and Medvedev broke straight again. The world No. 1 stored on urgent. He did not convert a break level at 4-3, and the Russian saved two set factors to stage the rating at 5-5.
The 2-time finalist compelled a tiebreak, the place he drew first blood. Alcaraz despatched two balls into the online on back-to-back factors on his personal serve, giving Medvedev a 4-1 lead. One other error, they usually modified ends with Medvedev up 5-1. “Alcaraz simply raveled, definitely not accustomed to seeing a patch like that in 2026 from the world No. 1,” commentator Kevin Skinner stated.
A giant serve helped Medvedev get to match level, however Alcaraz saved the primary with an ace. The second got here and went, however the third was again on Medvedev’s serve. He sealed it with an ace, handing the world No. 1 his first defeat this yr and reaching his third closing within the Californian desert.
Alcaraz waved goodbye to the followers as he walked off Stadium 1, and can now need to regroup and sit up for the Miami Open, the place he’s a former champion. However his hopes of beating Novak Djokovic’s unbelievable 41-0 document from the beginning of the 2011 season are over.
Daniil Medvedev surprised Carlos Alcaraz to succeed in the Indian Wells closing (Picture: Getty)
Medvedev himself is now on a nine-match profitable streak, having gained the Dubai Championships on the finish of final month, getting a walkover in that closing. After gorgeous Alcaraz, the No. 11 seed stated: “Actually [it’s a], nice feeling. I imply, taking part in somebody like Carlos, you play many instances, you lose many instances. He’s a tremendous participant with wonderful pictures, defence, assault, serve, return, all the pieces. So you should be at your finest, and I used to be, I used to be serving nice. I imply, I saved one or two set factors, I saved one or two break factors the sport earlier than. So I used to be hanging in, within the second set, as I may. However taking part in nice tennis, and tremendous pleased to beat somebody as robust as him.”
The 30-year-old additionally informed Sky Sports activities that he gained confidence when he noticed Alcaraz struggling to return his second serves – one thing that shocked him. Requested how he gained so many factors on second serve, Medvedev replied: “Yeah, to be trustworthy, I’ve not precisely an thought as a result of normally, if you play Carlos, you need to be prepared that on second serve, you battle, that’s how it’s. I really feel like I managed to search out a bit bit the rhythm on my serve, which was bothering him a bit bit, so you may see he was struggling a bit, if he returns shut or far.
“So I feel that value him a bit little bit of, not power precisely, however a bit little bit of mindset as properly. It gave me a little bit of confidence to say, ‘Okay, he’s struggling a bit to return’. So I used to be simply doing what I can. However I’m truly, in a manner, disillusioned and pleased, as a result of it ought to be greater on the primary serve however that’s what made me win the match, I suppose, on the second serve.”
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Medvedev will now face Sinner. It doesn’t matter what, there will probably be a brand new males’s singles champion in Indian Wells come Sunday night time. “I feel to begin with, everytime you’re taking part in a match the place each [Alcaraz and Sinner] are taking part in, there’s a huge probability that if you wish to win the match, you should beat each and that’s okay, that’s how tennis is correct now. Joyful to play in opposition to Jannik, if I handle to keep up the extent I had all through the entire match and possibly even increase it, I’ll have my probabilities, in order that’s what I’ll attempt to do,” he stated.
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