Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz regains top spot with dominant victory at Indian Wells

The 19-year-old Spaniard has regained the world number one ranking

Carlos Alcaraz in action against Daniil Medvedev during the men's final at Indian Wells on Sunday. Photograph: Shutterstock
Carlos Alcaraz in action against Daniil Medvedev during the men's final at Indian Wells on Sunday. Photograph: Shutterstock
Mon Mar 20 2023 - 09:07

Carlos Alcaraz has regained the world number one ranking as he claimed the BNP Paribas Open title in Indian Wells without losing a set.

The 19-year-old Spaniard ended Daniil Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak 6-3 6-2 to reclaim the top spot in the ATP rankings he lost to Novak Djokovic in January.

Medvedev – who has climbed one spot to number five – had won his three previous tournaments in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai.

He had also won the pair’s only previous meeting – at Wimbledon in 2021 – but the 27-year-old had no answer to his teenage opponent’s patient but aggressive game plan in windy conditions.

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Alcaraz seized control with an immediate break in both sets, opening a 3-0 lead in the first and winning the opening 10 points in the second as he raced away to a 4-0 lead.

And he rarely looked troubled as Medvedev failed to repeat the sparkling form from his semi-final victory over Frances Tiafoe.

Alcaraz hit 18 winners to Medvedev’s five, repeatedly exploiting his opponent’s deep position with a string of drop shots.

He clinched his third ATP Masters 1000 title – joining compatriot Rafael Nadal as the only men to reach that mark as a teenager – without facing a break point.

And he will chase a fourth, still two shy of Nadal’s tally before turning 20, when he aims to defend his Miami Open title from Saturday.