The Murcian got rid of Medvedev in just over an hour of the game 6-3, 6-2
At 19 years old, there are already three Masters 1000 trophies that he has lifted
won this Sunday the title of when crushing the Russian who had won 19 games in a row, and also regained the number one in the world, which was held by the Serbian Novak Djokovic.
In yet another amazing milestone for his already extraordinary career, the young Spaniard swept the final of the first Masters 1000 of the season by giving an impressive recital and winning by 6-3 and 6-2 in one hour and 11 minutes to a Medvedev who was the fittest tennis player on the circuit and that he had won three consecutive tournaments (Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai).
At only 19 years old, Alcaraz already has three Masters 1000 in his showcase (Miami, Madrid and Indian Wells) as well as a US Open.
The Murcian joined Rafa Nadal as the only player in history to score three Masters 1000 before his 20th birthday (the Spaniard got 6).
His overwhelming triumph in the Californian desert, where did not concede a single set Despite the fact that he had been recovering from a hamstring injury since the Rio de Janeiro final, it also returned him to the top of the ATP ranking.
In a men’s tennis thirsty for new figures that relieve the historical trio Nadal-Federer-Djokovicthe irruption of Alcaraz has been a phenomenon with five titles in 2022 and two already in the first quarter of 2023 (Buenos Aires and Indian Wells).
In addition, in 2022 he became the youngest player to reach world number one.
In Indian Wells, Alcaraz once again gave a master class in poise, serenity and nerves of steel in the great moments and was not intimidated by the streak of a Medvedev who reached the final and who had only been measured once with defeat in the second round of Wimbledon in 2021.
But less than two years later, this Alcaraz is no longer a promise but a tennis star with all his letters and his next appointment is in Miami, where he will defend his title won last year.
Djokovic, absent in Indian Wells, since you cannot enter the US because you are not vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Alcaraz exhibition
On a cloudy Sunday, with pleasant temperatures and intermittent gusts of wind, Alcaraz faced the final of what is known as the ‘fifth Grand Slam’ with a voracious appetite and backed by a virtually packed Center Courtwith some Spanish flags and who gave him a standing ovation as soon as he left the changing room tunnel.
With a dry ‘let’s go’, Alcaraz celebrated his first game from the kick off and with a great crossed backhand he achieved his first ‘break’ in a seen and unseen (2-0).
Faced with the impressive concentration and security of Alcaraz, Medvedev started very cold and far from the robustness that has turned him, in the words of the Murcian in the previous one, into “practically a wall”.
Alcaraz, aware that he had to play patiently and without showing weakness against the giant Russian of 1.98 meters, moved from the beginning to Medvedev with great ease.
In addition, the man from El Palmar brought out his exuberant catalog of hits, with exquisite drop shots, straight as shells and a strong serve; and he boasted an infinite capacity for resistance to reach some points that seemed impossible.
Increasingly in love with the Spaniard, the Indian Wells crowd let out a few murmurs and gasps of admiration when Alcaraz embroidered some rallies within the reach of only the chosen ones.
There was no news of Medvedev being annulled in the first set and Alcaraz, with 10 winners (only 2 from his rival), sealed the first round by going to the net after 35 minutes and with formidable authority.
Far from the resilience that he had shown in recent weeks, Medvedev was paralyzed, had no ability to react and it collapsed before the hurricane of Alcaraz.
In this way, the man born in Moscow lost his first two turns to serve in the second round against an Alcaraz that did not stop punishing him and again and again with cannon shots to the line or with delicious drop shots (4-0).
Without having to solve a single ‘break’ option Against throughout the final, Alcaraz, with 19 winners against only 4 of his opponent, put the direct and overwhelmingly resolved one more capital victory for a record that continues to grow and grow.