Carlos ALCARAZ ends Jannik SINNER's impressive streak and will fight to defend his title at Indian Wells

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner faced off for the eighth time in their careers, with a 4-3 advantage for the current world No. 3. The dream match, the match of the present and future of tennis in the semifinals of Indian Wells, much like in 2023, where the Spaniard prevailed over the Italian 7-6(4), 6-3 before going on to claim the title.

And he did it again, this time in 3 sets, by 1-6, 6-3, and 6-2, becoming the first player to defeat Sinner this season and staying alive in his title defense at Tennis Paradise.

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After just 3 games, like yesterday's second women's semifinal between Coco Gauff and Maria Sakkari, the match was halted due to rain. They were in the locker rooms for a few minutes and returned to warm up, but after finishing the warm-up, it started raining again, and they had to wait for over 2 and a half hours before returning to the court.

Upon their return, Carlitos had a very poor service game, allowing Sinner to break his serve and lead 3-1. Although Alcaraz had the opportunity to immediately recover the break, he didn't capitalize on it. From there, everything became uphill for the Spaniard and downhill for the Italian, who ended up taking the first set with an imposing 6-1.

In the second set, Alcaraz came out determined to turn the tide, and he showed it by breaking Sinner's serve in the second service game of the Italian. Despite being tested, the Murcian showcased mental strength and never relented. He ended up taking the second set 6-3, largely thanks to regaining his best level with his forehand.

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It was the first set Sinner lost at this Indian Wells and only the third player to win a set against him this season, after Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open and Gael Monfils in Rotterdam.

In the beginning of the third set, Alcaraz started off strong, and he proved it when he broke Sinner's serve to go up 2-1 and serve, in a game where the Italian seemed to show signs of physical discomfort and hurt his wrist after falling while trying to save a ball.

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It turned out to be a turnaround in the match, as Sinner only won one more game in the entire match, with Carlitos Alcaraz taking the third set 6-2 against a much more error-prone Jannik than usual, largely thanks to the attitude and usual aggression of the world No. 2, which he maintains thanks to his victory when he enjoys himself on a tennis court.

In the final, he will face Daniil Medvedev, in a rematch of last year's final, or Tommy Paul, a player who has always made it difficult for him and with whom he has a 2-2 head-to-head record.

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