Alcaraz Stops Medvedev For Indian Wells Title, Third Masters Crown, Returns To No. 1

by Staff | March 20th, 2023, 1:12 am
  • No Comments

Carlos Alcaraz won the final Slam of the 2022 season. And now he wins the first Masters of the 2023 season. The teen is the real deal and today he tore up a red-hot Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-2.

“It feels amazing to lift the trophy here, to recover the No. 1. I would say this has been the perfect tournament,” Alcaraz said. “It was good for me, this tournament that I really wanted to win, and for me, it’s amazing.”

The 19-year-old used his wide array of speed, power and even touch — at one point connecting on three straight drop shot winners — to snap Medvedev’s 19-match win streak.


The youngster lost a total of 12 points on serve and never faced a break point against the 6-foot-6 Medvedev.

“He’s playing good,” Medvedev said. “I feel like he was serving well today. Serve and volley was good. Like even I knew that it’s never easy to finish a match, especially a final. I was thinking about my match with Novak in US Open, and, you know, try to do the same, put pressure on him.

“I don’t know if it’s his game that didn’t let me play my best level today or just, for whatever reason, I didn’t play my best level. Mentally I was ready for the match. I don’t feel like I kind of took it too easy before the match. I was ready for a fight. I knew that I have a tough opponent on the other side. He played well. Good dropshots in good moments, some good winners to break me.”

Alcaraz broke Medvedev in his first service games of both sets and that was it. The match lasted just under 80 minutes.

“I expect a match, toughest match,” Alcaraz said. “I played perfect, let’s say. I’d say before that against Daniil you have to play your best, and tactic at your best level, as well. Against him is always a tactic match, and I did perfect today. That’s why it looks easy, but it wasn’t.”

Alcaraz collects his 8th career title and third at the Masters level after Miami and Madrid. He’s now 8-3 in tournament finals and 14-1 on the year. And just 19, he already has won the career “Sunshine Double” and this week he did it without dropping a set!

“I think my tennis didn’t improve so much since last year,” Alcaraz said. “What I improve a lot is to don’t take the pressure, just to play relaxed, you know. That’s for me the most important thing.

“That’s why I show a great level, because I feel like I have no pressure. I enjoy. I’m playing relaxed. I would say I improved that a lot, and that’s why I’m playing a good level.”

The win also returns Alcaraz to the No. 1 ranking, though he’ll defend his Miami points next week so it might be short-lived.

“It feels great to be back on the No. 1,” the Spaniard said. “Of course every player on the ATP wants to be No. 1, and for me it’s a dream come true again. Obviously being in front of such great players like Novak, like the top players, for me, it’s an amazing feeling.”

Medvedev has no issues with Alcaraz moving back to No. 1.

“Carlos is deservedly World No. 1. He won more points than everybody else in last 52 weeks, and that’s how rankings work. Yeah, he was also year-end No. 1 last year, so that’s something I haven’t done, so I’ll try, for sure, in my career. Yeah.”


You Might Like:
Alcaraz Too Good For Medvedev, Defends Indian Wells Masters Title
Indian Wells Men’s SF: Alcaraz v Sinner, Medvedev v Paul
Streaking Medvedev Weekend Favorite At Indian Wells; Alcaraz v Sinner Rematch
2024 Indian Wells Tennis Odds
Medvedev Wins, Alcaraz Cruises Past Fritz, Will Face Sinner In Miami Masters SF

Don't miss any tennis action, stay connected with Tennis-X

Get the FREE TX daily newsletter

Comments are closed.

Top story: Sinner Settles With WADA, Accepts 3-Month Ban, Won't Miss Rome, Won't Miss French Open
Most Recent story: Frustrated Nick Kyrgios Calls Sinner Ban A "Sad Day For Tennis"