By Tony Fairbairn
- Carlos Alcaraz [2] v Jannik Sinner [3]
- Daniil Medvedev [4] v Tommy Paul [17]
INDIAN WELLS, USA – Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner will renew their rivalry as the face each other in a blockbuster semi-final at Indian Wells.
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Carlos Alcaraz [2] v Jannik Sinner [3] | H2H: Sinner leads 4-3
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has produced world-class form this week as he has cruised into the semi-finals. The Spaniard’s performance against Alexander Zverev was a statement of intent as he will now look to continue the buzz around his form and progress into his second consecutive Indian Wells final. Standing in Alcaraz’s way of another final is Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner with the Italian continuing to show why he is the best player in the world right now.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Carlos Alcaraz [2] v Jannik Sinner [3] | H2H: Sinner leads 4-3 |
| Indian Wells 2024 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $325,000 |
| Second on Stadium One (Not before 20:30 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Alcaraz entered Indian Wells with doubts over his form and fitness but has silenced those doubts with a stunning performance that has really stung the rest of the field.
Now the Spaniard will aim for a place in the Indian Wells for a second year in the world as he looks to reclaim his spot as world number one in the near future.
Next for Alcaraz is close rival Sinner who hasn’t dropped a set since his second round match in Rotterdam.
Another clinical week from the Italian has shown why he is the best player in the world on form right now as he looks for a second Masters 1000 title.
Speaking ahead of the semi-final Alcaraz has described Sinner as one of the best players in the world and hopes to adjust having lost some recent meetings against the Italian.
“Honestly, I don’t know how I’m going to approach the match,” Alcaraz told the ATP website.
“He’s the best tennis player in the world right now, without a doubt… He’s playing unbelievable, no losses this year. I really enjoy watching him play. So, it’s going to be a really difficult match. It’s going to be a big challenge for me to see what my level is facing him.”
As for Sinner the Italian is happy with the way he adjusted his game against Jiri Lehecka in tough conditions as he prepares for another semi-final.
“I am very pleased because the situation on court was different,” Sinner told the ATP website.
“In the morning it was really windy and in the first set it was tough to handle the situation. He is an incredible player and has huge potential, so I was aware of every point that I made.
“In the other way I am just happy because I made the semi-finals last year and this year I have a chance to play in the semis again. It is one of the greatest tournaments that we have in the whole year, so I am really happy and pleased.”
Alcaraz will aim to use the forehand to force Sinner behind the baseline and then use the dropshot to test Sinner’s athleticism.
Meanwhile Sinner will look to dictate play from the backhand side as he aims to find a mixture of depth and acceleration to test the Spaniard’s tactical skillset.
Both players have been serving and playing some heavy groundstrokes, so the person that manages to get the first strike in will have the advantage in this contest.
There will be long and exciting rallies with this match having the potential to be the match of the year so far.
Sinner’s more reliable defensive play makes him slight favourite heading into this match but it’s set to be another tight contest between two of the most exciting talents in tennis.
Prediction: Sinner in three sets.
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Daniil Medvedev [4] v Tommy Paul [17] | H2H: Medvedev leads 2-0
Daniil Medvedev is now one win away from a second Indian Wells final after impressive straight sets wins over Grigor Dimitrov and Holger Rune. Now Medvedev will look to show why he is one of the best hard court players in the world as he aims to bounce back from his Australian Open disappointment in style. Next for Medvedev is Tommy Paul who is into his second Masters 1000 semi-final after an impressive three set victory over Casper Ruud.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Daniil Medvedev [4] v Tommy Paul [17] | H2H: Medvedev leads 2-0 |
| Indian Wells 2024 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $325,000 |
| Third on Stadium One (22:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Medvedev has bounced back from his Australian Open trauma in style as he has shown resilience and consistency to cruise into the last four in Indian Wells.
Now Medvedev will aim to reach his second consecutive final in California as continues to go under the radar at big hard court events.
Next for Medvedev is American Paul who is into his second Masters 1000 semi-final having produced athletic and aggressive tennis over the week.
The American has struggled for form in recent months but is now looking to use this semi-final run as a platform to kickstart his season.
Ahead of the semi-finals Medvedev spoke about his happiness at reaching the semi-final and had plenty of praise for his American opponent.
“Tough conditions. Especially in the first set, it was very, very windy,” Medvedev told the ATP website.
“Tough to play beautiful, let’s call it this way. The only thing that you have to try and do is to win another point… I’m happy that in the end I managed to just be a tiny bit more solid, some good serves in important moments. Happy to be through in the next round.
“Tommy is really strong. He has been [near] the Top 10 for a long time. He’s playing good so that I know if I want to try to win, I need to be at my absolute best and that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
Meanwhile Paul spoke about how happy he is with his level of play under pressure ahead of the semi-finals.
“I am really pumped with how I am playing,” Paul stated to the ATP website.
“I like how I am playing on the pressure points, on the big points. I am excited for another match.”
Medvedev will aim to neutralize Paul’s serving with depth as he will look to use a mixture of variety and pace to force errors from the American.
Meanwhile Paul will look to mix up the tempo of the rallies as he aims to outmuscle Medvedev from all areas of the court.
This should be a good test for Medvedev but just like their previous meetings, the world number four should prove too strong for the American.
Prediction: Medvedev in three sets.
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