Match Report
Medvedev ends Alcaraz’s perfect start to 2026 to reach Indian Wells final
Alcaraz was on a 16-match winning streak
March 15, 2026
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Daniil Medvedev shakes hands with Carlos Alcaraz after beating the World No. 1 in straight sets Saturday in the Indian Wells semi-finals.
By ATP Staff
Carlos Alcaraz’s perfect start to the 2026 season has come to an end.
Daniil Medvedev shocked the Spaniard 6-3, 7-6(3) at the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday to snap the World No. 1’s 16-match winning streak and hand the 22-year-old his first loss of the season in the semi-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 event.
“Playing someone like Carlos, you play many times, you lose many times,” Medvedev said. “He’s an amazing player with amazing shots, defence, attack, return, everything. So, you need to be at your best.”
A chart-topping performance 💎@DaniilMedwed is into his 11th Masters 1000 final after a scintillating 6-3, 7-6(3) win over Alcaraz! @BNPPARIBASOPEN | #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/bEViZiYssc
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 15, 2026
Medvedev controlled the clash with aggressive shotmaking and showed the tennis with which he once reached World No. 1. In the second set, he faced two set points but held his nerve, serving out of trouble and forcing errors from Alcaraz at crucial moments.
The 30-year-old’s composure under pressure proved decisive, allowing him to close out the straight-sets victory and claim revenge against the Spaniard, who had beaten him in the Indian Wells final in 2023 and 2024.
“I was hanging in, in the second set, as I could,” Medvedev said. “But [I am] playing great tennis, super happy to beat someone as strong as him.”
With the victory, Medvedev advanced to his first Masters 1000 final since reaching the Indian Wells title match in 2024. The former World No. 1 will meet Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s championship match, with the Italian holding an 8-7 lead in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
Medvedev will now aim to win his third title of the season after having triumphed at the ATP 250 event in Brisbane and the ATP 500 event in Dubai.
“If I manage to maintain the level I had throughout the tournament and maybe even raise it, I will have my chances,” he said.
