Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev in two sets of 7-6 (5), 6-1 to win the Indian Wells tennis tournament on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, Poland’s Iga Swiatek defeated Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-0 in just over an hour to win the women’s section.
Alcaraz won his first title since Wimbledon last year and became the first player since Novak Djokovic to defend his title at Indian Wells.
Last year, Medvedev lost in the final of the tournament to Alcaraz, 6-3, 6-2.
“This is definitely your home ground, you like it here,” he told Alcaraz during the trophy presentation. I hope one day you can let me play a little better here. »
Medvedev led 3-0 in the first set thanks in particular to eight unforced errors from his opponent. The Spaniard then tied the match by winning three games in a row.
Both players won their serves to force a tiebreaker. Alcaraz led 3-0 and 5-2 before Medvedev pulled the score back to 5-5, but he won the next two points to take the first set.
In the second set, Alcaraz recorded the only two breaks to distance himself.
Alcaraz hit 25 winners and committed 26 unforced errors during the match. Medvedev had 11 winners and made 23 unforced errors.
As for Swiatek, the first racket in the world only lost 21 games in six matches during this WTA 1000 category tournament. It was also her 20e victory of the season, a peak within the circuit.
The final was a repeat of that of 2022, which Swiatek won 6-4, 6-1. Sakkari, ninth in the world, has not beaten her Polish rival since 2021.
“Sorry for not putting up better opposition,” Sakkari said on court after the match.
Swiatek took an early 3-0 lead in the first set. Sakkari recovered by winning three games in a row, recording a break at the expense of her opponent. Swiatek, however, only lost two points with balls in hand before the end of the round.
The champion was more dominant in the second set, breaking Sakkari’s serve three times. Swiatek won 76% of rallies when his first ball was in play.
Both Alcaraz and Swiatek pocketed a check for US$1.1 million for their victory.