Daniil Medvedev stunned world number one Carlos Alcaraz to end his unbeaten start to the year and set up an Indian Wells final against Jannik Sinner.

DANIIL Medvedev halted Carlos Alcaraz’s perfect start to 2026 with a stunning 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) victory in the Indian Wells semi-finals on Saturday. The former world number one booked a title clash with Jannik Sinner, who defeated Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-4 in the other last-four encounter.

Alcaraz, the 22-year-old reigning Australian Open champion, had been 16-0 this year following triumphs in Melbourne and Qatar. Medvedev’s aggressive baseline play and superb serving, however, consistently had the Spaniard on the back foot throughout the match.

The Russian needed just one break to secure the opening set. Alcaraz broke first for a 3-1 lead in the second, but Medvedev broke back immediately and dominated the ensuing tiebreaker, racing to a 6-1 lead before sealing the match.

“Super happy to beat someone as strong as he (is),” Medvedev said. “It’s a great feeling.”

He added that facing Alcaraz required his absolute best. “He’s an amazing player with amazing shots, defense, attack, serve, return, everything,” Medvedev said. “So you need to be at your best — and I was.”

The victory extends Medvedev’s own ATP win streak to nine matches following his title in Dubai last month. He now advances to his third Indian Wells final, having lost to Alcaraz in the championship match in both 2023 and 2024.

He will face a formidable challenge in Sinner on Sunday. The Italian four-time Grand Slam champion produced a commanding performance to dispatch fourth-ranked Zverev and reach the final.

 The Sun Malaysia