Like all the others, Greg Rusedski was impressed with Carlos Alcaraz’s Indian Wells run. The young gun beat all six rivals in straight sets and toppled Daniil Medvedev in the title clash. A teenager claimed his third Masters 1000 crown with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory in 70 minutes over an in-form Russian. Alcaraz was ready to bring his A-game, knowing it was the only way to beat Medvedev and terminate his winning streak. A teenager grabbed an early break and controlled the pace from start to finish to write the record books. Carlos did everything right behind the initial shot, never experiencing issues in his games and mounting the pressure on the other side. Daniil stood powerless against such a strong rival, failing to impose his strokes and move the opponent away from his comfort zone.
The Russian lost serve three times from as many chances offered to the Spaniard to settle with the runner-up prize. He played defensive tennis and stayed under ten winners, never looking like a serious competitor. The opening set saw seven comfortable holds and one challenging service game for Daniil that cost him dearly. Carlos held at 30 in the encounter’s first game and fired a backhand crosscourt winner in the second to grab an early break. Mixing up his strokes beautifully, Alcaraz fired a service winner in game three for a hold at love and a healthy advantage after nine minutes. Both players served well in the remaining games, and Carlos wrapped up the set with a service winner in game nine for 6-3 after 35 minutes.
Carlos Alcaraz toppled Daniil Medvedev for his first Indian Wells title.
With nothing working his way, Daniil got broken at love at the start of the second set after a double fault. Alcaraz confirmed the advantage with a hold at love in game two and took a massive step toward the finish line with cracking backhands in game three that pushed him 3-0 up. The Spaniard forced the rival’s mistake in the fourth game to extend the lead, sailing toward the trophy after 53 minutes! Medvedev avoided a disaster with fine holds in games five and seven before Alcaraz served for the victory at 5-2. Daniil saved a match point and reached the first deuce on the return. However, Carlos seized the second match point to celebrate the title and another incredible success at 19.
“The first time I saw Carlos play, I thought he needed to improve his physique and serve a bit, and he already has. I do not see any weaknesses in his game; it’s like putting together the ‘Big 3’ in one player. I have never seen the 19-year-old guy as complete as he is. Also, now he has progressed tactically as well. The way he destroyed Medvedev in the Indian Wells final was unbelievable. We were all worried about what would happen in tennis after the ‘Big 3’ when Carlos appeared,” Greg Rusedski said.
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