Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-2 to win the BNP Paribas Open title and regain the world No. 1 ranking.
The 19-year-old Spaniard yesterday moved from second to first in the ATP Tour rankings, displacing Novak Djokovic, who withdrew before the tournament began when he could not gain entry to the US because he is unvaccinated for COVID-19.
“For me, it’s a dream come true again,” Alcaraz said. “Obviously being in front of such great players like Novak, it’s an amazing feeling. I would say this has been the perfect tournament.”
Photo: EPA-EFE
In the women’s singles final, Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (13/11), 6-4 and handed the world No. 2 just her second loss this year.
Last year, Alcaraz became the youngest man to reach No. 1 in ATP Tour history after his title at the US Open. He achieved another mark in the third round at Indian Wells. That is when Alcaraz notched his 100th career victory, the second-quickest player behind John McEnroe to do so.
Alcaraz also became the first man to win the tournament without dropping a set since Roger Federer in 2017 and the youngest to win in Indian Wells.
“I really trust in every shot that I hit,” he said. “If I miss, I don’t mind.”
Alcaraz hit 19 winners and had 10 unforced errors, while keeping Medvedev off-balance with a steady array of serve-and-volley and drop shots. The teen never faced a break point while opening leads of 3-0 in the first set and 4-0 in the second.
“What I improve a lot is to don’t take the pressure, just to play relaxed,” Alcaraz said. “That’s why I show a great level, because I feel like I have no pressure. I enjoy. I’m playing relaxed.”
Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak ended. It went back to his title run in Rotterdam last month. He then won in Doha and Dubai.
“I want to congratulate you for the work you have done in the last few months,” Alcaraz told his opponent. “Winning three titles in a row and reaching the finals here is an amazing achievement.”
Rybakina carried the momentum from her straight-sets semi-final upset of world No. 1 Iga Swiatek into the final and beat Sabalenka for the first time in five career meetings.
“This tiebreak was really epic, I would say, with all these double faults and nerves,” Rybakina said. “In the end, it was just focusing on every point and try to fight till the end.”
“This tough loss will motivate me more because I don’t like to lose in the finals,” Sabalenka said. “This is the worst.”
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