Carlos Alcaraz remained on course to defend the BNP Paribas Open title in Indian Wells after ending Jannik Sinner’s perfect start to the year with a thrilling three-set win.
Just three games were played before a three-hour rain delay in the California desert, but when they returned it was Alcaraz who found a way to turn to contest on its head and make it through to his sixth Masters 1000 final thanks to a 1-6 6-3 6-2 victory.
Alcaraz snapped Sinner’s 19-match winning streak and ended the Italian’s perfect 16-0 start to the 2024 season to take his place in Sunday’s final where he will play fourth seed Daniil Medvedev or home favourite Tommy Paul, live on Sky Sports Tennis from 5.30pm UK time.
Live Tennis
“I stayed strong mentally,” said Alcaraz. “I think that’s a really important part in this game. You have to be strong mentally if you want to overcome these kind of matches, a set down against someone that’s playing an unbelievable game.
“I changed my style a little bit, I changed my game a little bit and I think it worked very well. I’m really happy to beat Jannik and be in the final again.
“I had to run more… defend better than I did in the first set. I kept more balls in and stayed strong on the court. We played a lot of long rallies but I stopped missing the second, third, fourth balls.”
Sinner returned after a long rain-delay to win four straight games and take the opening set in convincing fashion over a shell-shocked Alcaraz.
In a near-flawless opener, the Italian was consistent with his depth of shot and powerful groundstrokes to move Alcaraz around the baseline.
The Australian Open champion hit six winners, winning 65 per cent (11-17) of his first serve points and 86 per cent (6-7) of his second serve points in a marquee clash between the good friends and rivals.
It’s absolutely incredible, the ball striking. I’ve never seen anyone hit the ball so hard, so consistently and look so in control. It really does look like the tennis Sinner is accustomed to playing. This hitting is at a different level.
However, Alcaraz bounced back in the second set and he broke serve with a powerful forehand that set up a put-away volley for a 3-1 lead before closing it out with a drop shot from the heavens.
With Sinner serving in the third set, the Italian dived to keep a ball in play on break point near the net with his hands scraping along the gritty hard court.
Alcaraz’ athletic volley secured the break while Sinner appeared to be bothered by his left hand and a troublesome calf muscle after the exchange.
The Wimbledon champion went up a double break and 4-1 on a forehand which flew well wide of the mark by a suddenly error-prone Sinner and it wasn’t long before he sealed the win with a crosscourt forehand winner to keep Sinner from taking his world number two ranking.
Tale of the Tape
Tim Henman: Alcaraz is a phenomenal competitor
“Absolutely amazing. It was a privilege to be court side just to see the athletic ability, the ball-striking, the power and the performance from Alcaraz after that first set.
“He’s a phenomenal competitor for someone who’s so young. He’s got a wise head on those young shoulders. He did incredibly well to turn that around in three sets.”
Laura Robson: Alcaraz changed the match
“It was the way that he changed the match as it went on because it was on Sinner’s racket for the first set and a half and then all of a sudden you felt that Alcaraz started to slow things down.
“The forehand changed completely at the height he was getting over the net. Especially on returns. He was slowing the pace down, waiting for his moments and then when he could accelerate he was all over it.”
How to watch play on Sky Sports Tennis
Sky Sports has confirmed a new home for tennis in the UK and Ireland, with Sky Sports Tennis on Sky and NOW, making tennis content available all day, every day for fans.
Sky Sports will broadcast more live tennis than anywhere else, bringing over 4,000 matches from more than 80 tournaments a year on the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as full coverage of the US Open, all exclusively live.
Non-Sky subscribers can stream live matches with a NOW Sports Day and Month Membership, via Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports Arena, and Sky Sports Mix channels.
For further access, fans will also be able to follow their favourite players and gain deeper insights from both Tours via Sky Sports News, the Sky Sports app, on SkySports.com and via Sky Sports social channels.
Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp!
You can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest breaking sports news, analysis, in-depth features and videos from our dedicated WhatsApp channel!
Find out more here
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
Source : Sky Sports
