Carlos Alcaraz successfully defended his Indian Wells title by defeating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, replicating their showdown from the previous year's final. Despite facing the formidable Russian, Alcaraz, aged 20 and ranked second globally, secured victory with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 triumph, marking his first title win since Wimbledon in July.
Returning from an ankle injury that had forced him to retire from his opening match at the Rio Open just a month prior, Alcaraz displayed resilience and determination on the court. Reflecting on his victory, Alcaraz expressed his affection for Indian Wells, describing it as a special place for him. He acknowledged the challenges posed by his injury but credited the hard work done off the court to overcome those obstacles.
In the final, Alcaraz battled back from a 3-0 deficit in the opening set against Medvedev, eventually forcing a tie-break and clinching the set. With a composed demeanor, he dominated the second set, breaking Medvedev's serve twice to secure his 13th career title and etch his name as the first back-to-back winner at Indian Wells since Novak Djokovic's three consecutive titles from 2014 to 2016. Despite initial nerves, Alcaraz praised his ability to control his emotions and elevate his game when it mattered most.
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