Desert domination: Alcaraz tops Medvedev to repeat as Indian Wells champion

World quantity two Carlos Alcaraz cruised dwelling in a 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 victory over Daniil Medvedev on Sunday to win a second straight Indian Wells ATP title, each coming on the Russian’s expense.

Alcaraz captured his first title since Wimbledon final July and have become the primary repeat winner at Indian Wells since Novak Djokovic gained three straight titles from 2014-16.

For the 20-year-old Spaniard, 12 days within the California desert proved simply what he wanted after a stuttering begin to the season, which included a quarter-final exit on the Australian Open and an ankle harm that pressured him out of his opening match at Rio de Janeiro in February.

“Quite a lot of doubts for me,” he mentioned of his mindset coming in amidst his longest title drought since he burst via for his first Grand Slam title on the 2022 US Open.

For Alcaraz, nonetheless, it wasn’t nearly ending the drought, it was about rediscovering his pleasure within the sport.

“It means rather a lot to me, lifting this trophy, successful this event, as a result of I overcome plenty of issues in my head, plenty of issues bodily,” he mentioned.

“Not that I did not win a event since Wimbledon. For me, it does not matter, It is in regards to the emotions … It is about having fun with enjoying tennis, as soon as I step on the court docket, placing my sport. It is what solely issues.

“That is why I am actually, actually completely happy to elevate this trophy, as a result of I discovered myself at this event.”

As he did final 12 months, Alcaraz denied Medvedev’s bid to seize the one one of many ATP’s six hardcourt Masters 1000 titles he has but to win.

Extra importantly, after per week wherein he ended Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner’s 19-match successful streak, Alcaraz was trying ahead with renewed confidence to subsequent week’s hardcourt event in Miami and past.

“Clearly successful tournaments helps rather a lot coming to the subsequent ones,” mentioned Alcaraz, whose event included not solely a semi-final victory over red-hot Sinner but in addition a brush with a swarm of bees in his quarter-final win over Alexander Zverev — the person who ousted him in Melbourne.

“Clearly successful a Masters 1000 once more — it’s a actually troublesome event to win — offers you additional motivation to maintain going, additional, additional confidence for Miami proper now and for what’s subsequent,” mentioned Alcaraz, who joined compatriot Rafael Nadal as the one gamers to win 5 Masters 1000 titles earlier than turning 21.

– Further motivation –

World quantity 4 Medvedev, who was hindered by an ankle harm of their 2023 title conflict, obtained off to a sizzling begin on this one, parlaying a service break right into a 3-0 first-set lead.

However Alcaraz produced a blazing forehand passing shot to interrupt Medvedev within the fifth sport and from there they duelled to the tie-breaker with entertaining rallies spiced by drop photographs, volleys and lobs.

Alcaraz had followers out of their seats in a single rally, when he began to let a lob go by however, seeing it was heading in, managed to succeed in it and salvage the purpose.

“I am making an attempt to do this form of factors,” Alcaraz mentioned. “It offers me additional motivation.”

Trailing 5-2 within the tie-breaker, Australian Open runner-up Medvedev battled again to 5-5, however Alcaraz claimed the set when the Russian despatched a forehand huge and from there he was in full management.

“He managed within the first set at one second to lift his degree,” Medvedev mentioned. “I form of managed to be there and to attempt to catch his degree, however I used to be just a bit bit down.

“Ultimately, this down was happening, down, down, and he was going up, up, up.

“So the result’s a good end result for the match that it was. However I am completely happy,” Medvedev added. “Final time I managed to (attain the ultimate in Indian Wells) I gained Miami — so that is what I’ll attempt to do.”

bb/sev