Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev will face off in the BNP Paribas Open final after defeating Jannik Sinner and Frances Tiafoe, respectively.

The two have been by far the best players of the fortnight in Palm Springs, are there is plenty at stake on Sunday’s final.

Should Alcaraz win, he will return to number one in the ATP Rankings, partly thanks to Djokovic’s inability to accumulate any ranking points in the United States.

However, the more impressive record is that of Medvedev, who is on a 19-match winning streak and is bidding to win a fourth tournament in successive weeks, which would be a first on the ATP Tour.

The only man to come close is Goran Ivanesevic, who won Dubai, made the finals in Antwerp, and then won Milan and Rotterdam in consecutive weeks back in 1996.

Indian Wells 2023 Semi-Final Results

Medvedev Foils Tiafoe

The first semi-final of the day was between Medvedev and Tiafoe, which for the most part, was dominated by the Russian.

Medvedev scooped the first set 7-5 and was quickly up a break in the second, holding 3 match points at 5-3 on the American’s serve.

Tiafoe saved them, then broke serve to level at 5-5. Medvedev broke again immediately, and his victory looked complete at 6-5, 40-0.

However, as we all know, you have to win the last point, and Tiafoe saved four match points to break again and force a tiebreak.

In the tie break, Medvedev regrouped to forge a 5-1 lead, and although Tiafoe recovered to 4-5, the Russian sealed his eighth match point with an ace to take it 7-5 7-6(4).

It was a high-quality match, and the passing shots Medvedev can come up with are ridiculous. He hit a clean winner from 18 feet behind the baseline at one point. 😂

I also liked how Tiafoe went gung-ho when his back was to the wall. He started net rushing and enjoyed some success, so I’m sure Alcaraz’s team will be watching as the Spaniard is not opposed to closing the net when given the opportunity,

“It was crazy at the end, I got super tight. I would say that after 6-5, 40/0, I think I got tight at deuce when I was like, ‘Oh my god, that’s a lot of opportunities missed, this could go not well for me’. So I got really tight, [but] I still managed to continue playing good. The ace on match point was a relief, I’m just really happy that I managed not to lose this match. Medvedev on his struggles to close out the match

Match Stats

Highlights

Alcaraz Sinks Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz is on the cusp of regaining the world number one crown thanks to a 7-6(4), 6-3 triumph in his blossoming rivalry with Jannik Sinner.

Now behind 2:3 in the H2H with Alcaraz, Sinner will rue the opening set, where he fought back from 2-4 down to lead 5-4 and held a set point at 6-5 on the Spaniard’s serve.

However, Alcaraz saved it, then knuckled down in the tiebreak before breaking early in the second set and maintaining his advantage to move into the final.

There were some high-quality points throughout, and I like that Alcaraz will move forward and close the net. This is a rare breed on tour today, with most players seemingly moving backwards when they could be in the forecourt.

Match Stats

Highlights

What did you think of the semi-finals? Who is your pick for the title? Let me know in the comments.