carlos alcaraz specification indian wells it will be referred to as the “excellent tournament” after removing its title and returning to world number one in the ranking.
The 19-year-old Spaniard has lost his lead. Novak Djokovic After being injured from the Australian Open, he quickly rediscovered his best form and did not drop a set for two weeks.
Alcaraz was dazzling in the final, producing a dazzling display of all court tennis to facilitate the 6-3 6-2 win. Danil MedvedevHe ended the Russians’ 19-game winning streak.
“It’s a great feeling to lift the trophy to get back a number here,” he said. “I can say that this is an excellent tournament.
“I’m waiting for the hardest match. But let’s say I played perfectly. You have to play your best against Daniil and at your best tactically. It’s always a tactical match against him and I did it perfectly. So it looks easy, but it wasn’t. ”
Djokovic, who could not enter the USA because he did not have a coronavirus vaccine, will also miss the Miami Open this week.
But Alcaraz must successfully defend the title he won in Florida last year so that the Serbian driver can return to number one just before the dirt season.
By the way, updated rankings confirm this rafael nadal It fell from the top 10 for the first time in 18 years.
The Spaniard is still off the court due to a hip problem at the Australian Open and is currently 13th, his lowest ranking since 17 April 2005.
Medvedev was disappointed with his performance, but this was a very strong tournament after three consecutive championship streaks as he started the season with a lack of confidence.
The 27-year-old player, who has been openly expressing his feelings about the slow court for two weeks, said, “I was disappointed with the result, but the week was fantastic. Because Indian Wells, I’m very happy and proud to make it to the final, because it’s a clay court on a hard court. This is a good result for me.
“A lot of points in the season, a lot to see. I started very well. At that point I already scored more points than last year. I only see good things and I’m definitely looking forward to Miami.”
The women’s final was a title-defining rematch at the Australian Open, and this time around Elena Rybakina who was better Arina Sabalenka7-6 (11) won 6-4.
Russia’s Rybakina struggled initially after winning her first grand slam tournament at Wimbledon and did not see any benefit in the standings due to the points being removed, but she is now ranked seventh in the world and is looking to go further.
“I think the biggest goal is of course to be number one,” said the 23-year-old player, who defeated the top ranks. Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals.
“There’s still a long way to go. So that’s kind of the ultimate goal. I’m seven years old now, but you know how quickly the standings change. So I always have to focus on the next tournament I play.”
Sabalenka’s service problems last season were evident in a first set that was smashed by 10 double faults, and she hopes to learn from that experience.
“There will be some days when old habits will come back and you have to get over that and not every game will go your way and you will serve perfectly,” he said.
“So it’s just a reminder that it’s okay to fight something. It’s okay not to give your best and keep fighting and keep using the rest of the weapons.