Spain's Carles Alcaraz inflicted Yannick Siner's first defeat since the start of the year after winning 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 in a Masters semi-final clash at Indian Wells. Ciner had won all 16 of his bouts since the start of the season and had won 19 in a row overall, but Alcaraz showed class and character to pull off a turnaround.
The Italian started the eighth meeting between the two with a bang and gave only one game to his opponent in the first set. In the second half, Alcaraz took an early lead with a breakaway and then fended off several opponent breakaway opportunities to tie the score. In the deciding third set, the former world No. 1 dominated the court and raced to a 5-1 lead before closing out the match after just over two hours of play.
Thus, Alcaraz and Siner have already exchanged four victories each, and the Spaniard is very close to his first title since Wimbledon. His task in the final will be very tough as he will face Russia's Daniil Medvedev, who beat Tommy Paul 1-6, 7-6(3), 6-2. Medvedev has two wins and three losses against Alcaraz so far, and with success on Sunday, he will add to his collection of all Masters hard court titles. The Russian has already triumphed in Miami, Canada, Cincinnati, Shanghai and Paris. /BGNES
