Carlos Alcaraz finally ended his eight-month title drought as he successfully defended his crown in Indian Wells. In a rematch of last year’s final, the world No. 2 defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-6(5) 6-1 to lift his first trophy since Wimbledon.
Alcaraz and Medvedev stepped onto the court for the Indian Wells final exactly 12 months after finding themselves in the same position. Last year Alcaraz came out on top, easily dispatching the 28-year-old 6-3 6-2 to lift the title. But Medvedev tried to flip the script, starting strong as he broke to lead 2-0.
The world No. 4 saved three break-back points in a marathon nine-minute game to extend his lead. But Alcaraz refused to go away and stormed back to win the next three games, drawing level at 3-3. The Spaniard continued to put pressure on his rival as Medvedev saved a break point in another lengthy game that saw Alcaraz win the rally of the tournament with a banana forehand.
But the 28-year-old held on and the thrilling first set went to a tiebreak – just the second tiebreak in the 15 sets they’ve played. Alcaraz earned the first mini-break and stormed into a 5-2 lead before Medvedev got himself back in it, winning the next three points.
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