Medvedev Beats Alcaraz to Reach Indian Wells Final

Russian star snaps Spaniard's win streak, will face Sinner for title

Mar. 15, 2026 at 12:14am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Daniil Medvedev defeated world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 7-6(3) in the Indian Wells semifinals, snapping Alcaraz's unbeaten streak to start the year. Medvedev will now face Jannik Sinner in the final, his first ATP Masters 1000 title match in two years.

Why it matters

Medvedev's victory over the dominant Alcaraz is a significant upset, as the young Spaniard had won the last two Indian Wells titles. Medvedev's return to the top 10 rankings and first Masters 1000 final since 2024 also marks a resurgence for the veteran Russian player.

The details

Medvedev blended his powerful hard-court game with an all-out attacking style to take control of the match from the start. He raced out to a 4-1 lead in the first set and never faced a break point. Alcaraz struggled with his net play and reaction time, allowing Medvedev to dictate play. Though Alcaraz found his footing in the second set, Medvedev maintained his high level and closed out the match in a tiebreaker.

  • Medvedev won the Brisbane International in January 2026.
  • Medvedev won the Dubai Tennis Championships earlier in March 2026.
  • Medvedev reached the Indian Wells semifinals on March 14, 2026.

The players

Daniil Medvedev

A 30-year-old Russian tennis player currently ranked No. 11 in the world. Medvedev is a former world No. 1 and has won 13 ATP singles titles, including the 2021 US Open.

Carlos Alcaraz

A 19-year-old Spanish tennis player who is the current world No. 1. Alcaraz has won 8 ATP singles titles, including the 2023 and 2024 Indian Wells Masters.

Jannik Sinner

A 24-year-old Italian tennis player who reached the Indian Wells final by defeating Alexander Zverev in the semifinals.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Medvedev will face Jannik Sinner in the Indian Wells final on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

Medvedev's victory over the dominant Alcaraz is a significant upset, as the young Spaniard had won the last two Indian Wells titles. Medvedev's return to the top 10 rankings and first Masters 1000 final since 2024 marks a resurgence for the veteran Russian player, who is now poised to win his first big title in two years.