Alcaraz routs Medvedev to lift Indian Wells title and reclaim world number one ranking
Ben Somerford
March 20, 2023 00:41 MYT
March 20, 2023 00:41 MYT
Carlos Alcaraz reclaimed the world number one ranking after dominating the in-form Daniil Medvedev to lift the Indian Wells Open title for the first time on Sunday.
Medvedev came into the decider with 19 straight ATP Tour wins, but Alcaraz made light work of the Russian, winning 6-3 6-2 in 72 minutes.
Alcaraz's triumph means he has three Masters titles from three finals, not dropping a set in any, while it ensured he returns to the rankings' summit ahead of 2023 Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, who did not participate at Indian Wells.
The 2022 US Open champion has won two of three events since returning after three months out with abdominal and hamstring injuries that forced him to miss the Australian Open.
Carlitos is bringing the HEAT @carlosalcaraz | @BNPPARIBASOPEN | #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/QPXzpGY2Ia — ATP Tour (@atptour) March 19, 2023
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Alcaraz had labelled Medvedev the "best player right now" in the lead-up to the match, but was on top immediately, opening up a 3-0 lead as he hit 10 winners to the Russian's two in the first frame.
The Spaniard's dominance continued, winning the first 10 points of the second set, taking a 4-0 lead before prevailing with his second match point.
Alcaraz finished with 19-4 edge in the winner count, while Medvedev did not manage one ace for the match, marking the first time that has occurred since February 2020 against Gilles Simon in Marseille.
Medvedev had won in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai recently and was gunning to be the first man to win four titles in five weeks since Andy Murray in 2016, but was completely outclassed by the 19-year-old.
5 - @carlosalcaraz won 6-3 6-2, claiming a first title at Indian Wells. It is the fifth time in men's singles history, a player has conceded five or less games in the final - Hewitt (2001, 2002), Nadal (2009), Djokovic (2016). Dominant.#TennisParadise | @BNPPARIBASOPEN @atptour pic.twitter.com/sUI7GIwxIP — OptaAce (@OptaAce) March 20, 2023
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