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Indian Wells: Sinner, Zverev set for semi clash

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Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz beats Norrie, sets up Medvedev semi at Indian Wells

Carlos Alcaraz beats Cameron Norrie, faces Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells semi-finals. Jannik Sinner to face Alexander Zverev in Indian Wells semi-finals.


“It's for sure an area where I'm trying to improve given the problems I've had in Australia...”


Carlos Alcaraz has extended his unbeaten season, beating Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4, and will face Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells semi-finals. This marks Alcaraz's fifth consecutive year reaching the semi-finals at Indian Wells.




The world number one from Spain had a see-saw battle with 29th-ranked Norrie, but ultimately emerged victorious, avenging his loss to Norrie in the Paris Masters last November. Alcaraz's win extends his 2026 unbeaten streak to 16 matches, with his impressive performance showcasing his ferocious baseline hitting, delicate drop shots, and superb net play.


Alcaraz, who completed a career Grand Slam with his Australian Open victory and followed up with a title in Qatar, is seeking his third Indian Wells title. He'll face Medvedev, who beat defending champion Jack Draper 6-1, 7-5, in the other semi-final.


Alcaraz’s opponent, Daniil Medvedev, has pushed his ATP winning streak to eight matches with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over defending champion Jack Draper.




World number two Jannik Sinner has powered past Learner Tien 6-1, 6-2, setting up a semi-final clash with fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev, who won 6-2, 6-3 against Arthur Fils.


Alcaraz, 22, became the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam with his Australian Open win, followed by a title in Qatar. He pushed his 2026 season record to 16-0 with the win over Norrie, who beat him in the Paris Masters in November.


“I struggle a lot with his style,” Alcaraz said of heavy-hitting left-hander Norrie, showcasing the Spaniard's respect for his opponent's game.


“Every time I play against him it’s always really tough for me.


“It's a little bit confusing with his style, his topspin forehand, super high. And then the backhand, really flat and really low.”


Trailing 4-2 in the opening set, Norrie broke Alcaraz at love for 4-3. Alcaraz regrouped with another break and pocketed the set in 31 minutes.


Norrie broke again for a 2-0 lead in the second, but Alcaraz turned it around, winning the next four games. Norrie saved two match points on his serve, but Alcaraz served out the win efficiently.


“I’m finding the right shot,” Alcaraz said. “I played well. I played solid. I played aggressive when I could.”


Medvedev, fresh from a title run in Dubai last month, seized control early against Draper, who had pulled off a gritty win over Novak Djokovic on Wednesday night.


“The first set was unreal, I couldn’t miss a ball,” Medvedev said. “It was an unbelievable level.”


“Second set he tried to give everything he had, and he had an opportunity,” Medvedev noted, but the Russian saved the only break point he faced with an ace.


Medvedev's Hindrance Break

Medvedev secured the lone break of the second to lead 6-5, aided by a hindrance call against Draper. The Brit was irked early in the 11th game when the chair umpire, queried by Medvedev, ruled Draper had caused a hindrance with a raised arm gesture during a point.


Medvedev said he was distracted and the umpire told him it could go to video review, and subsequently awarded the Russian the point.


“Was I distracted big time? No,” Medvedev said, but added he thought Draper's gesture affected the quality of one of his forehands in the rally.


“Do I feel good about it? Not really,” he said. “But I also don't feel like I cheated or something.”


Sinner kept his bid for a first Indian Wells title on track with a straightforward victory over 20-year-old American Tien.


Sinner capitalised on a double fault from Tien for a break in the second game and cruised from there, breaking Tien four times and saving all four break points he faced.




Tien, who saved a pair of match points in his quarter-final win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, appeared to be hurting in the second set.


Sinner, who had trouble himself in the steamy conditions at the Australian Open, said the hot afternoon weather wasn't an issue.


“Today I felt really good on court,” he said. “It's for sure an area where I'm trying to improve given the problems I've had in Australia.”


Alexander Zverev made history by reaching the Indian Wells semi-finals for the first time, beating France's Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-3. This win marked a significant milestone, making Zverev the fifth player to reach the semi-finals of all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, joining tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray.


Zverev's achievement showcases his consistency and adaptability across different surfaces and opponents. He's now looking to take on world number two Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals, seeking his first win against the Italian since 2023.

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