Bees Bombard Indian Wells But Can’t Stop Alcaraz, Sinner; Swiatek, Gauff A Win From Final

In one of the most bizarre incidents at a pro tennis event, a swarm of bees invaded Stadium 1 Thursday at the Indian Wells Tennis Masters.

With Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev just two games into their quarterfinal, the hovering spidercam was engulfed by bees, sending the players, umpires and even some fans running for the exits.

The match was delayed some two hours as a local beekeeper had to neutralize the hive. Zverev, who beat Alcaraz at the Australian, should have stayed inside as the 20-year-old Spaniard rolled to a 6-3, 6-1 win.

Alcaraz, the defending champion, has now won his last 10 matches in the desert.

“It was strange, I’ve never seen something like that on a tennis court,” Alcaraz said. “When we ran out of the court, we were watching the bee invasion on the TV and we laughed a lot about it. It was funny for me. It’s going to be remembered for that, not for the tennis.

“I saw the sky and there were thousands flying, stuck in my hair, going to me. It was crazy.”

Alcaraz will face rival Jannik Sinner who cruised past Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-3. Sinner is 16-0 in 2024 and overall has won 19 straight matches.

Sinner has won four of seven from Alcaraz including the last two. Alcaraz won at this stage at Indian Wells last year. The match will be played on Saturday.

In the other men’s semifinal, Tommy Paul will take on Daniil Medvedev. Paul knocked out Casper Ruud in three while Medvedev ousted Holger Rune in straights.

In the women’s semifinals today, we are one win from an Iga Swiatek – Coco Gauff semifinal.
Swiatek will be a big favorite tonight against Marta Kostyuk. The world No. 1 got a retirement Thursday from Caroline Wozniacki who was struggling with a toe injury.

Gauff will test Maria Sakkari who is now led by new coach David Witt.