Sinner Stops Alcaraz To Return To Miami Masters Final, Will Face Medvedev Sunday

After three straight devastating losses to Carlos Alcaraz on hard courts including a semifinal loss at Indian Wells, Jannik Sinner finally broke through against the teen with a strong 6-7(4-7), 6-4, 6-2 win to return to the Miami Masters final.

“It means a lot. We both played a very, very high level of tennis again. I just tried my best,” Sinner said. “In the third set I saw him struggle a little bit for a couple of games so I tried to push there.

“We both tried to play very aggressive tennis and today it went my way so I’m very happy.”

Alcaraz came in having won his last 10 matches and 20 sets dating back to his Indian Wells title earlier this month. But Sinner was the better player at the start breaking Alcaraz to build a 4-2 lead.

Sinner had chances to break the set wide open but a miscue on an overhead opened the door. Alcaraz got back on serve and then behind some incredible shotmaking, had a chance to serve for the set at 6-5. A double fault set it to a break when Sinner again had the lead 4-2 but wouldn’t win another point.

After yet another tough set loss to Alcaraz, Sinner didn’t get down. The two exchanged early breaks before Sinner finally got the upper hand, snapping Alcaraz’s set streak.

In the third, Alcaraz began cramping and Sinner took advantage with a quick break, and stayed in form to close out one of his best wins.

Alcaraz had eight double faults and was just three of 12 on break chances. The loss also means Novak Djokovic will return to No. 1 to start the clay season on Monday,

Sinner advances his 10th career final. His 2nd at the Masters level, and 2nd at the Miami Masters. He is eyeing his 8th career title.

Earlier, Daniil Medvedev motored into his first Miami final ousting his countryman Karen Khachanov 7-6(7-5), 3-6, 6-3. He’s now won 23 of his last 24 matches, and made the finals at his last four events.

“I think I made six finals in 2019, so I have some margin,” Medvedev said. “It is a pity it is clay season after, but I am going to try. I am really happy with my results so far but it is not over. Final on Sunday and I have to be at my best to try to win it.

“I have to believe in myself. I know I am capable of winning big titles. I know I can play well and beat anybody. Carlos is on fire right now but you can’t win 100 matches in a row. At one moment someone is going to put the water on the fire. It might be Sinner today, it might be me on Sunday, it might be someone else next tournament. You have to believe in yourself. You have to try your best. I am going to enjoy their match and be prepared for the winner.”

Medvedev made a mess of the first set, failing to serve it out by double faulting on set point, but prevailed in the breaker.

Khachanov would strike early in the second and then rode his power game to a decider. Medvedev, though, got back on top saving a break point in the opening service game and then a few games later breaking.

“In my opinion, it was a top match,” Medvedev added. “In the first set when we lost our serves, it was just a good game from the returner. In the second set I had one bad game and he won the set. I had one break point, I could have done better. He had a break point in the first game of the third set, I managed to play well. He had one bad game in the third set, I managed to take it and I am really happy to be through. It was a very tough match.”

Medvedev reaches his 32nd career final, his 8th at the Masters level. He is looking for his 19th career title. Khachanov came up just short of a second Masters final.

“I must say it’s maybe a little bit unlucky in a way, but of course he deserves totally to win,” Khachanov said. “I think both of us really showed our best today. We fought hard. I mean, we gave [a] good match for the crowd.

“In a way, it’s a pity that I lost, but I’m happy and proud of myself the way the things are right now.

Medvedev is a perfect 5-0 against Sinner including a 3-set win in the Rotterdam final.

“Different conditions than in Rotterdam. I’m very happy that I can face him in a final again,” Sinner said. “The last one I lost obviously, but I’ll try my best, I’ll try to make some good changes like today against Carlos and let’s see. I feel good on this court. I have very good memories and hopefully I can show some good tennis.”