Is Daniil Medvedev back? That may be up for debate until he makes a big splash at a Grand Slam, but the old Medvedev was on display in the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday afternoon.
The former world No. 1 upset Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 7-6(3) to set up a showdown with Jannik Sinner. Medvedev showed his trademark defense and consistency while flashing the skills that took him to the 2021 US Open title – among his many other achievements – but mostly faded throughout a disappointing 2025 campaign.
“Playing someone like Carlos, you play a lot of times, you lose a lot of times,” said the 29-year-old Russian. “He is an amazing player with amazing shots, defense, attack, return, everything. So you need to do your best.”
For Alcaraz, it was his first loss in 2026. The top-ranked Spaniard previously lifted trophies at the Australian Open and the Doha ATP 500.
It means there will be no Alcaraz-Sinner clash in the desert although the second-ranked Italian holds up his end of the bargain. Soni had no problem in the first semi-final of the afternoon, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-4.
Either Sinner or Medvedev will be the first champion in Tennis Paradise. Medvedev has already finished second (both times against Alcaraz), while Sinner is playing in his first Indian Wells final.
“It’s a big success,” confirmed the 24-year-old. “It’s the first time I’m here in the final, it means a lot to me. It’s the third time I’m playing a semi final here, so I’m very happy about that…. Now let’s see what’s coming. Yes, the next one will be a very difficult test, but I’m very happy. We improved this week, this tournament, and that for me was the most important part.”
