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Medvedev: 'It's Time To Build A New Streak'

After a lopsided defeat like the one Daniil Medvedev suffered Sunday in the BNP Paribas Open final, it can be hard to know whether to laugh or cry. For the fifth seed — who saw his 19-match win streak snapped by Carlos Alcaraz, 6-3, 6-2 in a first Indian Wells title match for both — it's the former.

"I think this one I will get over pretty quickly," he said in his post-match press conference, noting his positive mindset after winning three straight titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai. "I managed to make my best result in Indian Wells where before I couldn't make it to the quarters, and already my second match was a three-setter.

"A lot of positives, for sure. I think this one, I will be forever disappointed that I didn't win the final, but I can laugh already and whatever, I'm gonna try to win the next one or win this one next year. Looking forward already and, for sure, will not think too much about this one but will discuss it with my coach."

Medvedev was well below his best, while Alcaraz was firing on all cylinders in the pair's second ATP Head2Head meeting and first since Wimbledon 2021, when Medvedev cruised to a straight-sets win.

The biggest disappointment for the fifth seed, aside from falling short of a fifth ATP Masters 1000 title, was a missed opportunity to tie his career-long win streak of 20 matches. 

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Alcaraz Wins Indian Wells, Returns To World No. 1

Carlos Alcaraz completed a dominant run to his maiden BNP Paribas Open title on Sunday with perhaps his most one-sided victory of the tournament, a 6-3, 6-2 stunner against Daniil Medvedev. The 19-year-old Spaniard, who did not lose a set in six Indian Wells matches, will return to World No. 1 in Monday's Pepperstone ATP Rankings behind his trophy triumph.

"It means a lot to me. To recover the No. 1 [ranking] is crazy for me," Alcaraz said after wrapping up the win in a rapid one hour, 10 minutes. "But especially to lift the trophy here for me means a lot... I love this tournament. I really enjoy my time here and of course I felt the love from the people from day one. For me, it's amazing to complete these 10 days like this."

Now a three-time ATP Masters 1000 champion as the reigning titlist in Miami and Madrid, Alcaraz is the ninth and youngest man to win both legs of the Sunshine Double — Indian Wells and Miami — in his career. He joins countryman Rafael Nadal as the only players to win at least three Masters 1000 titles as a teenager, with Nadal having won six before turning 20.

Medvedev saw his 19-match and three-tournament winning streak come to a close as Alcaraz expertly handled the windy desert conditions, the top seed's patient but aggressive game plan reaping rewards with an immediate break in both sets. After racing to a 3-0 lead in the opening set, Alcaraz won the first 10 points of the second on the way to a 4-0 advantage.

Alcaraz hit 18 winners to Medvedev's five and won 10 of 13 net points in an all-action victory. The Spaniard also found success with his patented drop shot time and again, taking advantage of his opponent's deep court position.

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Back At No. 1, But Alcaraz Faces Immediate Threat In Miami

Carlos Alcaraz will return to World No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday, but the teen has no time to relax. His spot atop the standings will be at risk during the Miami Open presented by Itau.

Alcaraz will swap places with Novak Djokovic on Monday. However, Alcaraz does must defend his Miami title to stay No. 1 ahead of Djokovic on 3 April.

Pepperstone ATP Rankings (20 March)

 Player  Points
 1) Carlos Alcaraz  7,420
 2) Novak Djokovic  7,160

At the start of the Miami ATP Masters 1000 event, Djokovic will own a 740-point lead over Alcaraz in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings because the 19-year-old will drop the 1,000 points he earned at the tournament last year.

If the Spaniard wins the title, he will continue adding to his total number of weeks at World No. 1, which will reach 22 over the course of the Miami Open presented by Itau.

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No. 1-Chasing Alcaraz Aims To Snap Medvedev’s Streak In Indian Wells Final

Carlos Alcaraz’s bid to return to World No. 1 collides with Daniil Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak on Sunday in a blockbuster final at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. (Watch the final from 12am CET/7pm ET)

The pair may be first-time finalists at the opening ATP Masters 1000 event of the year, but their respective runs to this year’s championship match can hardly be considered a surprise.

After the start of his season was delayed until February due to injury, Alcaraz has racked up a 13-1 record for 2023 and is yet to drop a set in Indian Wells. If the 19-year-old defeats Medvedev, he will leapfrog Novak Djokovic to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time since January. A major motivation, but not one that will distract the Spaniard from the job at hand.

“I know if I win tomorrow I'm going to become the No. 1, [but] I will try not to think about that,” said the top-seeded Alcaraz after he defeated Jannik Sinner in straight sets in Saturday’s semi-finals. “[I will] just think about the things that I have to do. I would say it is going to be a really tactical match against Daniil… I have to make everything perfect. That's all I'm going to think [about] tomorrow.”

Medvedev will rise one spot to No. 5 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings regardless of the result on Sunday and the 27-year-old has been the dominant force on Tour for the past month. He has notched 19 straight victories across four tournaments on three different continents, lifted titles in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai, and is now one win away from becoming the first player to claim four tour-level titles in five weeks since Andy Murray in 2016.

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Shevchenko, Borges Continue Hot Streaks To Meet In Phoenix Final

Alexander Shevchenko and Nuno Borges have been enjoying a sizzling start to the season on the ATP Challenger Tour. Now, they will put their hot streaks on the line when they clash in Sunday’s championship match at the 2023 Phoenix Challenger.

Because of rain earlier this week, Saturday's action at the Arizona Tennis Classic featured quarter-final matches in the morning and the semi-finals after suitable rest. Shevchenko, who advanced through qualifying, won back-to-back three setters, including against top seed Matteo Berrettini, to advance to his second Challenger final of the season. Borges, 26, extended his Challenger-level winning streak to nine.

Because of rain earlier this week, Saturday’s action at the Arizona Tennis Classic featured quarter-final matches in the morning and the semi-finals after suitable rest.

 

The 22-year-old Shevchenko started the day by ousting World No. 23 Berrettini 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. A few hours later, Shevchenko returned to Centre Court and rallied from a set down to defeat Quentin Halys 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3.

A jam-packed crowd enjoys Saturday's action at the Challenger 175 event in Phoenix.
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Alcaraz Makes More ATP Masters 1000 History By Reaching Indian Wells Final

Editor's note: This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es

Carlos Alcaraz is relentlessly rewriting the annals of professional tennis. On Saturday, the Murcia native reached the final of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, once again underlining his status as one of the ATP Tour’s most feared players. With a smile on his face after a job well done, the Spaniard has found yet another way to etch his name into the history books.

Alcaraz is the 18th man to have reached singles finals at both Indian Wells and Miami, demonstrating his ability to adapt at two of the most iconic events on the calendar. Having won his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy last year in South Florida — becoming the youngest winner in the history of the tournament and the third-youngest champion overall in the prestigious category — the Spaniard will be bidding to add to his fast-growing trophy collection when he takes on Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's Southern California final.

Players Who Have Reached Singles Finals In Indian Wells & Miami

Player  Indian Wells  Miami
Carlos Alcaraz  1  1
John Isner  1  1
Andy Murray  1  4
Novak Djokovic  6  7
Rafael Nadal  5  5
Roger Federer  9  5
Ivan Ljubicic  1  1
Andy Roddick  1  2
Carlos Moya  1  1
Marcelo Ríos  1  1
Pete Sampras  3  4
Michael Chang  3  1
Jim Courier  2  1
Andre Agassi  3  8
Stefan Edberg  2  1
Miloslav Mecir  1  1
Jimmy Connors  3  1
Ivan Lendl  2 3

The achievement is even rarer than reaching World No. 1, with the Miami event first being played in 1985. Since the start of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings in 1973, a total of 28 players have managed to reach its peak in singles, while only 18 have progressed to the final in both Indian Wells and Miami.

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Bopanna/Ebden Win Indian Wells Doubles Title In Match Tie-Break

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden finished their BNP Paribas Open title run the way they started it, with a clutch performance in a Match Tie-break. The unseeded champions upset top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 in Sunday's Indian Wells final, with the 43-year-old Bopanna becoming the oldest ATP Masters 1000 trophy-winner.

"Truly special. It's called Tennis Paradise for a reason," the Indian veteran said after clinching his fifth Masters 1000 trophy and first in Indian Wells. "I've been, over the years, coming here and seeing all these guys win for so many years. I'm really happy that Matt and I were able to do this and get this title here. It's been some tough matches, close matches. Today we played against one of the best teams out there. Really happy that we got the trophy."

[ATP APP]

The Indian-Australian pairing knocked off defending and two-time desert titlists John Isner and Jack Sock in Friday's semi-finals and beat Canadian singles stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov in the quarters. Their opening victory came in a Match Tie-break against Rafael Matos and David Vega Hernandez.

Now 11-4 in their first season together, Bopanna/Ebden are 2-1 in finals with a victory in Doha and a runner-up finish in Rotterdam.

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Alcaraz On Brink Of No. 1 After Sinner SF Win In Indian Wells

In the latest installment of a rivalry that could define the ATP Tour for the next decade, Carlos Alcaraz edged Jannik Sinner to break new ground at the BNP Paribas Open and move within one victory of a return to the top of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

After Saturday's 7-6(4), 6-3 triumph — in which he saved a set point in the opening set — the Spaniard will play his first Indian Wells final against Daniil Medvedev, knowing a win would secure his return to World No. 1.

Watch Sunday's final from midnight CET/7pm ET

"I'm really happy with the performance today," said Alcaraz, who has not lost a set this tournament. "I'm really happy to get through this great match. Jannik obviously is a really great player with great shots. 

"I would say we're going to have a great rivalry over the years. We are playing in the best tournaments in the world. It's not over here. We are going to play a lot of great matches. All I can say is I'm really happy with my first final here in Indian Wells."

The blockbuster semi-final was the fifth ATP Head2Head meeting between Alcaraz and Sinner, and the first since their marathon US Open quarter-final that set a record for latest New York finish at 2:50 a.m. The Spaniard won their desert showdown in a brisk-by-comparison one hour, 52 minutes to improve to 3-2 in the budding rivalry.

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Gallery: Best Photos From 2023 Phoenix Challenger

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Henman, Willis Among Participants In 24-Hour Charity Tennis Marathon

Bright Ideas For Tennis continues to make a difference for those in need.

Tim Henman, Jack Draper and Marcus Willis were among current and former British players who joined the organisation's 24-hour tennis marathon at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre from 25-26 February to raise funds for the I Play 30 programme, which brings together local venues and schools to deliver free weekly coaching for students.

“It’s great to be back with Danny Sapsford and Bright Ideas,” Henman said in a video produced by Bright Ideas For Tennis. “This 24-hour Tennis-a-Thon is not only a great way of raising money, but it’s about the fundraising to provide opportunities within tennis for those that are less fortunate.”

Other British ATP players who participated were Dominic Inglot, James Auckland, Barry Cowan, Jamie Baker, Lee Childs, Martin Lee and Colin Beecher. They joined students from local schools as well as participants in the programme's inclusive tennis sessions for a memorable day of tennis.

Willis, who last year came out of retirement to pursue a doubles career, was happy to give back. The 32-year-old has supported Bright Ideas For Tennis for a few years and has visited clubs across the country, even recently trying "blind tennis", which he called "awesome".

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Medvedev Takes Down Tiafoe To Reach Maiden Indian Wells Final

Daniil Medvedev added a slightly more straightforward chapter to his rollercoaster 2023 BNP Paribas Open story on Saturday, when he eased past Frances Tiafoe 7-5, 7-6(4) to reach his maiden final at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells.

Aside from letting slip seven match points and being broken twice when serving for the match late in the semi-final clash, the fifth seed delivered a high-class all-around display to extend his winning streak to 19 matches. Having so far claimed ATP Tour titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai during his run, the former World No. 1 is now within one match of becoming the first man to win four titles in five weeks since Andy Murray in 2016.

“It was crazy at the end,” said Medvedev. “I got super tight. I would say that [after] 6-5, 40/0, I think I got tight at deuce when I was like, ‘Oh my god, that’s a lot of opportunities missed, this could go not well for me’. So I got really tight, [but] I still managed to continue playing good… The ace [on match point] was a relief, I’m just really happy that I managed not to lose this match.”

As he has been throughout his red-hot run, Medvedev was relentless from the baseline throughout the one-hour, 47-minute clash. Yet he also sprinkled into his performance a series of magical moments that left an at-times exasperated Tiafoe — himself one of the biggest crowd-pleasers on Tour — with few chances to counter.

Medvedev rolled his ankle in his fourth-round victory against Alexander Zverev and then cut his thumb badly in his quarter-final win against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. After overcoming those challenges and then defeating Tiafoe, he booked an appointment with second seed Carlos Alcaraz or 11th seed Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s championship match. The 27-year-old is chasing his fifth Masters 1000 crown, and his first since 2021.

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Alcaraz's No. 1 Chase, Sinner's Chance For Huge Rankings Jump

There is plenty at stake this weekend beyond the prestigious BNP Paribas Open title at Indian Wells. Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Frances Tiafoe all have a big opportunity to make a move in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

If Alcaraz claims his third ATP Masters 1000 trophy, the Spaniard will pass Novak Djokovic and return to World No. 1 on Monday. The 19-year-old faces Sinner in the semi-finals.

Alcaraz, who became the youngest World No. 1 in history last September, held top spot for 20 weeks. He can return to the position for the first time since January, when Djokovic reclaimed World No. 1.

Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings (Entering Indian Wells SFs)

 Player  Live Ranking  Current Points  Max Points
 Carlos Alcaraz  2  6,780  7,420
 Daniil Medvedev  5  4,090  4,730
 Jannik Sinner  11  2,925  3,565
 Frances Tiafoe  14  2,710  3,350

The teen’s semi-final opponent, Sinner, has a big opportunity to climb to a new career high. The Italian is No. 11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, but can surge to World No. 6 with the title.

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Alcaraz Stares Down His Peers In Indian Wells

Editor's note: This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es

The future is bright for Carlos Alcaraz, one of the ATP Tour's biggest stars at just 19 years old. The Spaniard has enjoyed a rapid rise in a sport in which careers are becoming ever longer, and where experience often rules over youth on the professional circuit. It seems nothing can slow the momentum of the Murcia native, however, who already appears on course for another historic season.

The emergence of Alcaraz’s special talent goes against the grain of the current trend. There have never been more players in the Top 100 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings over the age of 30 than there are now. Never have so many players resisted the pulls of retirement. However, the Spaniard is setting records for precociousness almost every time he steps on court.

In that battle against time, the 2023 BNP Paribas Open represents an opportunity for this young pretender to stare down the players with whom he will share his future in the game. Young players destined to occupy the upper echelons of tennis, those with whom he may have to battle for the biggest titles in years to come. These generational peers, whose arrival in the game comes in parallel with that of Alcaraz, are proving to be his strongest adversaries on court.

By way of example, alongside the Spaniard, there are currently three players under 23 years of age in the Top 20 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. Canadian player Felix Auger-Aliassime, Dane Holger Rune and the Italian Jannik Sinner. None of them, unlike the vast majority of other players, has a negative record against the Spanish prodigy. In Indian Wells, Carlos is preparing for the second of back-to-back clashes against two of them.

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Top Seeds Koolhof/Skupski Reach Indian Wells Final

After collecting seven team titles in 2022, Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski will compete for their first crown of this season at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

On Friday, the Dutch-British duo won 22 of 31 points off their first delivery to survive Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3, 4-6, 10-5 in the semi-finals at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Top seeds Koolhof and Skupski will compete in their first final of 2023 after earning three Masters 1000 titles last season: Madrid, Montreal, and Paris.

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Koolhof and Skupski will next meet Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden, who saved all nine break points faced to edge defending champions John Isner and Jack Sock 7-6(6), 7-6(2).

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Bublik Cruises Into Phoenix Challenger QFs

Fourth seed Alexander Bublik wasted no time Friday at the Arizona Tennis Classic to advance to the quarter-finals of the Challenger 175 event.

The 25-year-old needed just 53 minutes to defeat China’s Zhang Zhizhen 6-1, 6-2. Bublik backed up his heavy first delivery with a strong return performance, capturing 14 of 19 points off Zhang’s second serve.

The Kazakh, who saved all four break points faced Friday, will next seek to avenge his previous two losses (‘18 Budapest, ‘21 St. Petersburg) to Jan-Lennard Struff when he meets the German in the Phoenix Challenger quarter-finals. The qualifier Struff also cruised Friday, downing Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 6-3.

 

In front of a packed stadium at the Phoenix Country Club, top seed Matteo Berrettini moved past Aussie qualifier Aleksandar Vukic 7-5, 7-6(5). The Italian will next face Alexander Shevchenko, who won the Tenerife Challenger-1 earlier this year. Shevchenko advanced through qualifying in Phoenix and took out Gael Monfils and Marc-Andrea Huesler to make the last eight.

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Borges Booming On Challenger Tour

Following a career-best season, Nuno Borges is building momentum and enjoying a hot start to 2023 on the ATP Challenger Tour. The 26-year-old, who won last month’s Monterrey Challenger, is aiming to continue his seven-match winning streak (Challenger level) at this week’s Arizona Tennis Classic.

Yet to drop a set this season on the Challenger Tour, Borges stated that he’s just reaping the fruits of his labour.

“Every time I step on court I feel like there’s more stuff that I try not to take for granted but it’s been there because of the work I’ve put in,” Borges said. “I feel a little faster on court, decision making is getting better at this level. I can say that yes that I am more confident [this year] because in the end these players are making me more uncomfortable and anytime you go up, it keeps getting more and more challenging. Confidence is very subjective and it really is a volatile thing, comes and goes like crazy, one match can change it all.”

 

On Friday, the Portuguese No. 1 defeated Roman Safiullin to book his ticket to the quarter-finals of the Arizona Tennis Classic, where he will next meet Australian Alexei Popyrin. Earlier in the week, Borges made a statement by earning his highest-ranked win: upsetting second seed and World No. 38 Diego Schwartzman.

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Popular Racket Sports Court Sizes

 Here are the typical sizes for some popular racket sports: Tennis:Court size: 78 feet (23.77 meters) in length and 36 feet (10.97 meters) in width for singles matches, and 78 feet (23.77 meters) in length and 42 feet (12.8 meters) in width for doubles matches.Net height: 3 feet (0.91 meters) at the center.Racquet size: Maximum length of 29 in...


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SF Preview: Can Medvedev Extend Winning Streak vs. Tiafoe?

Daniil Medvedev and Frances Tiafoe's paths to the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals have differed.

Medvedev’s route to his first semi-final in Indian Wells has not been smooth. The fifth seed was pushed to three sets against Ilya Ivashka in the third round, before he overcame a right ankle injury to claw past Alexander Zverev in the fourth round.

Tiafoe’s journey to the same stage has been the opposite, with the American yet to drop a set in Indian Wells. The 25-year-old, currently No. 14 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, is chasing his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title this weekend and will rise into the Top 10 for the first time if he triumphs.

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SF Preview: Alcaraz, Sinner Renew Rivalry In Indian Wells

Young guns Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will write another chapter into their growing rivalry Saturday when they collide in the semi-finals at the BNP Paribas Open.

The 19-year-old Alcaraz, who blitzed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarter-finals, is chasing a double prize this weekend in Indian Wells. The Spaniard will return to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time since January if he captures his third ATP Masters 1000 crown at the hard-court event.

However, he will have his work cut out against the 21-year-old Sinner, who enters the semi-final blockbuster off the back of a statement win against 2022 champion Taylor Fritz.

"I'm really happy to play against him again. Great battles," Alcaraz said when previewing the match. "I enjoy the matches against him. I would say it's going to be a really good match, for the fans as well, to watch that match. And for myself as well. I will try to show my best, to show my 100 per cent. Jannik is playing great. I'm going to enjoy that match."

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Miami Open Presented By Itau: Draws, Dates, History & All You Need To Know

The world's best players will compete at the Miami Open presented by Itau for the 38th edition of the ATP Masters 1000 event, held in Miami. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and last year’s finalist Casper Ruud will lead the way at the season’s second Masters 1000.  

Here's what you need to know.

When is the Miami Open presented by Itau?

The 2023 Miami Open presented by Itau will be held from 22 March-2 April. The hard-court ATP Masters 1000 tournament, established in 1985, will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. The tournament director is James Blake.

Who is playing at the 2023 Miami Open presented by Itau?

The Miami Open presented by Itau will feature stars including Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz.

When is the draw for the Miami Open presented by Itau?

The Miami Open presented by Itau draw release time is to be confirmed.

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