By Tony Fairbairn
- Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Jannik Sinner [11]
- Daniil Medvedev [5] v Frances Tiafoe [14]
INDIAN WELLS, USA – Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev are looking to extend their recent winning streaks against tough opposition on men’s semi-finals day.
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Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Jannik Sinner [11] | H2H: Tied at 2-2
Despite missing the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz has proven to be one of the form players on the tour as he is into his second consecutive Indian Wells semi-final. Alcaraz has won 12 matches this season and is performing like a former world number one and Grand Slam champion as he looks to capture his third Masters 1000 title. Standing in Alcaraz’s way is Jannik Sinner after the Italian has continued his great start to the year by reaching the last four in California after defeating defending champion Taylor Fritz.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Jannik Sinner [11] | H2H: Tied at 2-2 |
| Indian Wells 2023 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $352,635 |
| Third on Stadium One (21:30 GMT) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Alcaraz has continued to ease past the rest of the field as he looks to be the one to take advantage of Novak Djokovic’s absence. The Spaniard’s mix of athleticism, mentality and power sees him as the best player of his generation as he looks to set more records after becoming world number one and a Grand Slam champion last year.
Standing in Alcaraz’s way is Sinner who continues to impress this season as his controlled power has seen him test the best players in the world on the biggest stages.Now Sinner looks to remain calm under pressure as he looks to finally make his breakthrough at a Masters 1000 event by winning the title at Indian Wells.After his win over Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alcaraz admitted he played one of his best matches of the season in the semi-finals and spoke about his rivalry with Sinner.
“I knew that I was going to have my chances,” Alcaraz told the ATP website.
“[I had to] try to take it. Probably I played one of my best matches this season, in 2023. I’m really happy and [want to] keep going. I’m really happy to play against him again. Great battles. I enjoy the matches against him.
“I would say it’s going to be a really good match, for the fans as well, to watch that match. And for myself as well. I will try to show my best, to show my 100 per cent. Jannik is playing great. I’m going to enjoy that match.”
As for Sinner he was happy with how aggressive he was playing during the match as he aims to reach his second Masters 1000 final.
“I just tried to play quite aggressively, which I’ve done,” Sinner told the ATP website.
“I’m obviously very happy about the performance. Playing against Taylor is never easy. I lost against him two years ago here. He loves the conditions here so I’m very happy that I found a way today.
“He started to move me around little bit more. I think we both have very similar play styles. We both try to be very aggressive from the baseline, so I tried to mix things up a little bit. Obviously how I played the third set, I’m very happy.”
Alcaraz will look to test Sinner’s nerve under pressure by playing aggressive return games and using his variety to see if the Italian can remain consistent. Meanwhile Sinner will look to use his power and depth to force Alcaraz behind the baseline as well as all around the court.
This will be one of the most entertaining matches of the week with their meeting at the US Open proving why they will have a gruelling rivalry to come over the next few years. In the end Alcaraz’s power and variety should see him over the line in what should be a thrilling semi-final.
Prediction: Alcaraz in three sets.
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Daniil Medvedev [5] v Frances Tiafoe [14] | H2H: Medvedev leads 4-0
It’s now 18 wins in a row for Daniil Medvedev as he continues to be the dominant force on the ATP tour with a fourth consecutive ATP title looming ahead. The fifth seed has competed well despite complaining about the court’s pace and will now look to continue his rise up the rankings after exiting the world’s top ten after the Australian Open. Standing in his way is Frances Tiafoe with the US Open semi-finalist yet to drop a set this week as he searches for his first Masters 1000 final.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Daniil Medvedev [5] v Frances Tiafoe [14] | H2H: Medvedev leads 4-0 |
| Indian Wells 2023 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $352,635 |
| Second on Stadium One (20:00 GMT) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
It all looked doom and gloom for Medvedev after an early exit in Melbourne but the fifth seed has responded well as he looks for a fourth consecutive ATP title. Now Medvedev looks to continue the momentum and earn his way back to the top of the ATP rankings by winning a fifth Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells.
Next up for Medvedev is Tiafoe who continues to perform to a high level when playing in America having not dropped a set this week. The American’s rise has been incredible over the last year and now the world number 16 looks to capture his maiden Masters 1000 title.
After his quarter-final victory Medvedev spoke about concerns over his ankle injury and praised Tiafoe’s game.
“I’m actually happy the ankle didn’t hurt much because when I warmed up, it was hurting pretty bad,” Medvedev told the ATP website.
“I knew I was going to play, I knew I was going to try. But I couldn’t move well on the warm-up. I tried to warm it up as long as possible, took one painkiller so that probably helped. I was actually feeling better and better during the match.
“He’s playing great. Frances is a very pumped-up, fiery player, so he can beat anyone on a good day. I’m sure he can beat Novak, Rafa. He actually did beat Rafa in the US Open, which is huge. For sure I need to try my best to keep this head-to-head at zero. That’s never easy and I just have to show my best tennis and try to beat such a great opponent.”
As for Tiafoe, the American spoke about his progress and how happy he is with where his game is at.
“I am really happy. I feel like when I am there mentally, I am one of the best players in the world,” the American said to the ATP website.
“Today it is not just about getting to the semis, I am happy to beat a guy like that, who has been playing so well. To be able to come out here and beat him in straight sets, is relatively comfortable. At the end, it got a little tricky, but it was pretty one-way traffic and I am really happy with where my game is at.
“I am able to take the racquet out of players hands. I am crafty, I can move. I stay in the points and don’t give away too many free points. I have grown as a player tremendously and it is showing. I am really happy with my progress.”
Medvedev will look to grind the American down from the baseline and use the angles to open up space in the court. Meanwhile Tiafoe will rely on his serve to move Medvedev out of position as he looks to come into the net as much as possible. Tiafoe should push Medvedev to his limits but in the end Medvedev’s overall baseline quality should prevail in a gruelling match.
Prediction: Medvedev in three sets.
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