Medvedev Breaks the Spell

Nobody can win all the time, not even Carlos Alcaraz. Defeat of the world No. 1 in the semifinals of Indian Wells against an outstanding Daniil Medvedev (6-3, 7-6), showing the level that once made him the best tennis player on the planet.

More than one had fallen into the mistake of thinking that Daniil Medvedev was no longer cut out for this. I'm referring to competing against the two best players in the world, winning important matches against them, dining at their table. So much time of lean cows in the Russian's household and so much praise towards the two main pillars positioned him as a textbook 'want and can't' case. Would you have imagined that it would be Daniil who would inaugurate the list of defeats for Carlos Alcaraz in 2026? Well, this is what high-level sport is all about, giving you a little scare when you think you already know it all.

In 37 minutes of play, Medvedev went 6-3 up on the scoreboard. And well-earned, no tricks involved. Serving like a beast, returning like a savage, and, dare we say it, being so aggressive that we didn't even remember he held those cards in his deck. Instructions from above? Sure, but in the end, it's a strategy you can't reject if you want to beat the player from Murcia in these conditions. The Moscow native needed to be as solid as ever and as brave as never before, in addition to having that touch of luck that always comes in handy. Well, everything went perfectly for him in that first set.

He also found a Carlos more erratic than usual, perhaps surprised to see in Medvedev a very different rival from their recent encounters. It's worth remembering that the Spaniard had defeated the Russian in their last few matches, although none took place in 2025. Things have been moving in Daniil's favor lately, renewing his team and also some furniture that was starting to become outdated in his mind. He seems like a different player in this calendar, someone Alcaraz had not yet met.

With a streak of 16 consecutive victories, it's normal to mull over the place, date, and opponent that will come together to put you in your place. Not because there are many strong contenders on the circuit to beat the one from El Palmar, but rather as a logical matter that here no one is exempt from losing occasionally. I insist, no one expected to see Medvedev in that role, but after 45 minutes, we began to notice some details that were nothing like what we had experienced in these two and a half months. Carlitos, serious and upset, lacking confidence, with that face that only emerges on gray days. Meanwhile, Daniil didn't flinch, not a single grimace, fully dedicated to the cause.

See-Saw Second Set

The break did Carlitos good to come out stronger in the second set and test the resilience of his opponent. An early break, as desired as it was sought, put him 3-1 up and threatened to set things right once and for all. His joy was short-lived. Once again, Medvedev rose to the occasion, as significant as these semifinals were. The level displayed with his returns and, in general, with his backhand shot can only be categorized as top-notch. In the stands, hidden under a cap with a frozen smile, Thomas Johansson didn't miss a single moment of his pupil's exhibition.

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"You have to play more than him, there's no other way. And if you can't, well, you can't, but you have to keep pushing," Samuel López was heard commenting from the first row of seats, encouraging Carlitos to be realistic but at the same time not to stop knocking on the door. Tennis is also about thinking that your effort and faith will lead you to that ball that changes everything. And it came, in the form of two set points for the Spaniard on serve, a door that would spell his defeat if left unopened. The Russian didn't offer many chances either, so the dream began to fade significantly from that moment on.

The set still continued to the tiebreak, which started with a tremendous forehand from Carlos, but it was short-lived. Six consecutive points by the Muscovite made it very clear who had been the better competitor this afternoon. A bad match from Alcaraz? Well, it wasn't his best, let's not kid ourselves. But here it's time to be humble and acknowledge that, even if just for a day, a super talent can emerge and be better than you. Daniil Medvedev today was the best possible version of Daniil Medvedev, enough to break the Murcian's undefeated streak and secure a spot in tomorrow's final against Jannik Sinner, the other prodigy of the circuit.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Medvedev deshace el conjuro