“Alcaraz dominates Indian Wells and reclaims world No. 1 ranking in Tennis.”

Author of a demonstration, carried by more than perfect tennis, Carlos Alcaraz, 2nd in the world, won the Indian Wells Masters 1000 for the first time, outclassing the Russian Daniil Medvedev (6-3 6-2). 6th), Sunday in California. The 19-year-old Spaniard took the opportunity to take over from Serbian Novak Djokovic, absent because he was not vaccinated against Covid, the place of world No. 1 which he had occupied for the first time in September 2022, after his coronation at the US Open.

This title is the eighth of his career, in eleven finals disputed. The third in this category just below the Grand Slams. He is the youngest of now nine players to have achieved the ‘Sunshine Double’, which also involves winning the Miami Open.

Winner in Florida last year, the prodigy from Murcia will have the opportunity to defend his title there from next weekend. And he will have to keep it if he wants to remain at the top of world tennis, according to the ATP projection. “Winning like this, playing so well, obviously gives you great confidence. I hope to keep this level in Miami, ”he commented hotly. On his victorious road in the Californian desert, he did not lose a single set. The last winner to have done so well was Roger Federer in 2017.

He inflicted on Medvedev his first defeat in twenty matches, equalizing in their head to head. The Spaniard and the Russian had only met once before, in the second round of Wimbledon in 2021. And the latter crushed him at the time. But since then, a lot has changed. Called to reign over world tennis in the years to come, Alcaraz has been on an irresistible meteoric trajectory for the past year. And it is at “Iberian-speed” that he wins on his way Medvedev, yet in great shape in his last weeks, with three titles in a row won in February in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai.

Excelling in all areas, from service (76% of successful first serves) to return, via rallies (19 winning shots at 4) or volley climbs (10/13 winning shots), he managed a demonstration of strength.

We have rarely seen Medvedev, who preceded Alcaraz on the US Open charts, winning there in 2021, but also on the world throne for a few weeks last year, so helpless on a court. “I hope you give me a chance next time. I tried and tried (to resist) but it was too easy for you”, reacted the 27-year-old Russian, noting the overwhelming superiority of his opponent in this match.