The pair of superstars are each a win away from their first 2026 encounter.ByTENNIS.comPublished Mar 13, 2026 copy_link Published Mar 13, 2026 At the BNP Paribas Open, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz shined in different sessions during quarterfinal action in Indian Wells.The two are now one win away from dueling for the first time in 2026. Alcaraz notably beat the Italian in the semifinal stage of his 2023 and 2024 title runs here.On Thursday, Sinner stepped out first in cruising past Learner Tien on a hot afternoon. The world No. 1 later soaked up the sun for his match prep, before rolling over 2021 champion Cameron Norrie.PHOTOS: The two are now one win away from dueling for the first time in 2026. Alcaraz notably beat the Italian in the semifinal stage of his 2023 and 2024 title runs here.On Thursday, Sinner stepped out first in cruising past Learner Tien on a hot afternoon. The world No. 1 later soaked up the sun for his match prep, before rolling over 2021 champion Cameron Norrie.PHOTOS: On Thursday, Sinner stepped out first in cruising past Learner Tien on a hot afternoon. The world No. 1 later soaked up the sun for his match prep, before rolling over 2021 champion Cameron Norrie.PHOTOS: Jannik heads back inside after signing autographs following his midday practice.© Matt Fitzgerald © Matt Fitzgerald After closing out Tien, Sinner looked at his box and broke into a massive smile.© Matt Fitzgerald © Matt Fitzgerald It was arguably brighter than the sun hitting the court.© Matt Fitzgerald © Matt Fitzgerald Sinner maintained that happy energy when visiting the Tennis Channel set for a chat with Prakash Amritraj.© Matt Fitzgerald © Matt Fitzgerald Alcaraz got his golden hour glow working during his solo practice session.© Matt Fitzgerald © Matt Fitzgerald After wrapping with some serves, the 22-year-old instructed brother/coach Alvaro to help hand out signed souvenirs.© Matt Fitzgerald © Matt Fitzgerald Alcaraz had his reasons to grin, too, after upping his perfect 2026 start to 16-0.© Matt Fitzgerald © Matt Fitzgerald

Can Medvedev pick up his first win against Alcaraz since the 2023 US Open?BySteve TignorPublished Mar 13, 2026 copy_link Alcaraz and Indian Wells aren't a good mix for Medvedev. The slow hard courts gave Alcaraz the time to tee off, and he happily took advantage of it.But hope springs eternal in Medvedev, for a couple of reasons. But hope springs eternal in Medvedev, for a couple of reasons. First, the conditions are more to his liking this year.“I feel like the court is a bit faster since the two times I have played him,” Medvedev says. “I feel like the court is a bit faster since the two times I have played him,” Medvedev says. Second, he's hungry again after a down season in 2025, and you can see it in his results. This week, he has defused a couple of big hitters in Jack Draper and Alex Michelsen.“I feel like I'm playing great, very good tennis,” Medvedev says. “I never want to jump into conclusions like best tennis of my life or whatever. “I never want to jump into conclusions like best tennis of my life or whatever. Alcaraz, it can probably go without saying by now, is also playing "very good." He has won all 16 matches he has played in 2026, and he has been up to a few challenges this week, from Arthur Rinderknech, Casper Ruud, and Cam Norrie.Medvedev will be highly motivated to make this a better match than their other two at Indian Wells. Medvedev will be highly motivated to make this a better match than their other two at Indian Wells.

After losing four straight matches to Zverev, Sinner has won the last five.BySteve TignorPublished Mar 13, 2026 copy_link If you're like me, when you think of Sinner vs. Zverev, the first match that comes to mind is their Australian Open final from last year. That day, the Italian straight-setted the German, and left him wondering if he even knew how to play tennis.The loss certainly stayed in Zverev's mind for a long time. Afterward, his confidence thoroughly punctured, he took a swan dive that lasted for most of 2025. Fourteen months later, though, he finally seems to be over it. Asked about the prospect of facing Sinner in this semifinal, Zverev focused on his better showings against him.“I think we had quite tight matches,” he said. “Even the last few were very tight. The loss certainly stayed in Zverev's mind for a long time. Afterward, his confidence thoroughly punctured, he took a swan dive that lasted for most of 2025. Fourteen months later, though, he finally seems to be over it. Asked about the prospect of facing Sinner in this semifinal, Zverev focused on his better showings against him.“I think we had quite tight matches,” he said. “Even the last few were very tight. “I think we had quite tight matches,” he said. “Even the last few were very tight. Zverev was likely thinking of the final they played in Vienna on an indoor hard court last fall. That one was indeed very close, and should give him confidence that he can at least compete against Sinner. It took an especially brilliant down-the line backhand from Sinner, which skidded off the sideline, to lift him to victory. In Australia, he was just a few points from beating Carlos Alcaraz to make the final, and he has been his old solid self in his last two wins, over Francis Tiafoe and Arthur Fils, in Indian Wells. Zverev has been happy with his aggression level, an area where he never been able to match Sinner.“I think I played quicker today than the last couple of matches,” Zverev said after beating Fils. Sinner has noticed.“I have to very careful,” he said of this semifinal. But Sinner has an extra gear on both wings. The only guy to challenge him in Indian Wells so far has been Joao Fonseca, who also has that extra gear on his forehand. Without it, Zverev may have to hope for an off day from the No. Those don't come around all that often. “I have to very careful,” he said of this semifinal. But Sinner has an extra gear on both wings. The only guy to challenge him in Indian Wells so far has been Joao Fonseca, who also has that extra gear on his forehand. Without it, Zverev may have to hope for an off day from the No. Those don't come around all that often. Sinner has won his last five meetings with Zverev, dating back to 2023. But Sinner has an extra gear on both wings. The only guy to challenge him in Indian Wells so far has been Joao Fonseca, who also has that extra gear on his forehand. Without it, Zverev may have to hope for an off day from the No. Those don't come around all that often.

1 looks to avenge January's Australian Open final defeat, her only loss in 2026 so far.ByTENNIS.comPublished Mar 14, 2026 copy_link For the third time in four years, Aryna Sabalenka will play for the BNP Paribas Open crown.The world No. 1, this time, hopes to walk away with the “bigger” trophy after finishing runner-up in 2023 to Elena Rybakina and 12 months ago to Mirra Andreeva.When Prakash Amritraj asked her how she always works “to peak at these kind of stages” following her 6-3, 6-4 victory over Linda Noskova Friday, Sabalenka responded. “Maybe because I lost so many finals…”“Aryna you have won so many finals also!” interrupted Amritraj, who later informed the that her record in title matches was 22-19, better than the “50/50” summation Sabalenka noted. 1, this time, hopes to walk away with the “bigger” trophy after finishing runner-up in 2023 to Elena Rybakina and 12 months ago to Mirra Andreeva.When Prakash Amritraj asked her how she always works “to peak at these kind of stages” following her 6-3, 6-4 victory over Linda Noskova Friday, Sabalenka responded. “Maybe because I lost so many finals…”“Aryna you have won so many finals also!” interrupted Amritraj, who later informed the that her record in title matches was 22-19, better than the “50/50” summation Sabalenka noted. When Prakash Amritraj asked her how she always works “to peak at these kind of stages” following her 6-3, 6-4 victory over Linda Noskova Friday, Sabalenka responded. “Maybe because I lost so many finals…”“Aryna you have won so many finals also!” interrupted Amritraj, who later informed the that her record in title matches was 22-19, better than the “50/50” summation Sabalenka noted. “Aryna you have won so many finals also!” interrupted Amritraj, who later informed the that her record in title matches was 22-19, better than the “50/50” summation Sabalenka noted. For Sabalenka, an opportunity for revenge was hard not to factor into her pick beyond the contrasting matchup of styles itself.Q. I'm sure TV, movies, it's all in your future. Give me your best analyst thoughts on this match?ARYNA SABALENKA: You mean my bet?Q. Maybe who you're leaning towards?ARYNA SABALENKA: This match, I give it 60 to 40 to Rybakina,” she stated. Q. I'm sure TV, movies, it's all in your future. Give me your best analyst thoughts on this match?ARYNA SABALENKA: You mean my bet?Q. Maybe who you're leaning towards?ARYNA SABALENKA: This match, I give it 60 to 40 to Rybakina,” she stated. ARYNA SABALENKA: You mean my bet?Q. Maybe who you're leaning towards?ARYNA SABALENKA: This match, I give it 60 to 40 to Rybakina,” she stated. The Kazakh prevailed over the four-time major winner to clinch her second Grand Slam trophy at January's Australian Open.Putting her analyst hat back on during her press conference, Sabalenka noted that the challenge of facing Rybakina is “all about the first few balls in every point. Yeah, if it's her, I'm excited, actually.”Not too long after Sabalenka finished her media commitments, Rybakina closed out Svitolina with a 7-5, 6-4 scoreline. Sabalenka is yet to drop a set through five matches and her only defeat in 17 contests so far in 2026 was that 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 defeat to one of her chief rivals at Melbourne Park. Putting her analyst hat back on during her press conference, Sabalenka noted that the challenge of facing Rybakina is “all about the first few balls in every point. Yeah, if it's her, I'm excited, actually.”Not too long after Sabalenka finished her media commitments, Rybakina closed out Svitolina with a 7-5, 6-4 scoreline. Sabalenka is yet to drop a set through five matches and her only defeat in 17 contests so far in 2026 was that 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 defeat to one of her chief rivals at Melbourne Park. Yeah, if it's her, I'm excited, actually.”Not too long after Sabalenka finished her media commitments, Rybakina closed out Svitolina with a 7-5, 6-4 scoreline. Sabalenka is yet to drop a set through five matches and her only defeat in 17 contests so far in 2026 was that 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 defeat to one of her chief rivals at Melbourne Park. Not too long after Sabalenka finished her media commitments, Rybakina closed out Svitolina with a 7-5, 6-4 scoreline. Sabalenka is yet to drop a set through five matches and her only defeat in 17 contests so far in 2026 was that 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 defeat to one of her chief rivals at Melbourne Park.

Elena Rybakina will renew her rivalry with Aryna Sabalenka in Indian Wells after defeating Elina Svitolina 7‑5, 6‑4 in 1 hour, 46 minutes Friday night. 1, whom she beat in both the Australian Open final earlier this year and the 2023 Indian Wells championship match. Since October, she has collected titles at the WTA Finals and the Australian Open, and on Friday night added another milestone by reaching her second Indian Wells final with a 7-5, 6-4 win over World No. Indian Wells: Scores | Draws | Order of play It marked her 12th straight victory over Top 10 opponents, a streak that began last October in Ningbo -- where she also lifted the trophy. Rybakina trails Sabalenka 7-8 at the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz level but has won their last two meetings -- both in finals -- in Riyadh and Melbourne. “We know each other's games very well,” Rybakina said in her post-match press conference. If her form against Svitolina, and throughout the week for that matter, is any indication, the 2023 BNP Paribas Open champion will have a strong chance to claim her second title in the desert later this weekend. It wasn't the quickest of starts for Rybakina, who watched Svitolina hold with an ace and then break for 2-0 with a perfectly placed forehand into the corner. But in what quickly became a theme, the soon-to-be new World No. She responded with a backhand winner at the net, followed by a forehand winner -- one of many on the night -- to set up double break point. But she needed only one to get back on serve at 2-1. The two then traded holds to 5-all, capped by a Rybakina service game shaped by her crosscourt prowess and a finishing ace. Rybakina let a pair of break points slip away in a five-deuce game but stayed composed and kept attacking. Rybakina broke for 6-5 and then struck two more forehand winners in the final game to serve out the set after 52 minutes. The second set initially looked straightforward as Rybakina raced out to a 5-1 lead and held her first match point. But Svitolina showed her trademark resilience, saving it, holding for 5-2, and then fighting off another match point as Rybakina served for the match. This time, she closed, putting away one last ball at the net to seal a hard-fought victory and improve her record against Svitolina to 4-3. The Women's Single Final is SET 🔥🔥🔥See you on Sunday!! Since 2000, Rybakina is the fifth player to record 12 or more consecutive wins over WTA Top 10 opponents, joining Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Justine Henin and Iga Swiatek. Elena Rybakina will renew her rivalry with Aryna Sabalenka in Indian Wells after defeating Elina Svitolina 7‑5, 6‑4 in 1 hour, 46 minutes Friday night. 1, whom she beat in both the Australian Open final earlier this year and the 2023 Indian Wells championship match.

Under a punishing Caribbean sun in sweltering humidity, Alexander Blockx dug deep Friday to reach the semi-finals at the ATP Challenger 175 event in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic. The reigning Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up rallied past Coleman Wong 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in a bruising two-hour, 30-minute battle that tested both players to their physical limits. Blockx, who played a three-hour marathon less than 24 hours before, celebrated his quarter-final victory by falling to the ground in relief. Blockx will NEVER back down 😱The Belgian prevails in a 2.5 hour epic 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 for a Cap Cana semi-final spot!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/tl8z7xYFZg Blockx improved to 12-2 this season at ATP Challenger level. He won the Canberra Challenger in his first event of 2026 and reached the final in Lille, France last month. 89 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, the Belgian is in good position to surpass his career-high No. Up next for the four-time Challenger champion is Argentine Mariano Navone, who beat second Valentin Royer 6-2, 7-6(5). In other action at the Republica Dominicana Open - Copa Cap Cana, Australian Adam Walton upset Miomir Kecmanovic 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 to reach the last four. Mattia Bellucci downed fifth seed Raphael Collignon 6-4, 6-2. Briton Harris wins longest match in Phoenix Challenger history Marathon matches were a theme at ATP Challenger level Friday. In addition to Blockx's hard-fought win, Briton Billy Harris survived a three-hour, 20-minute clash against Adrian Mannarino at the Arizona Tennis Classic. 3️⃣ hours and 2️⃣0️⃣ minutes 🤯Billy Harris takes an epic battle against No.3 seed Mannarino 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4 to reach the @aztennisclassic semifinals!#ATPChallenger | @the_LTA pic.twitter.com/bnE1gwzn9r The American, who celebrated his 22nd birthday Thursday, beat Benjamin Bonzi 7-6(4), 7-6(7). 33 in the PIF ATP Rankings, overcame Nikoloz Basilashvili 7-6(5), 6-4. Get official marketing communications from the ATP and WTA! No part of this site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or by any means (including photocopying, recording or storing it in any medium by electronic means), without the written permission of ATP Tour, Inc..

Carlos Alcaraz continued his perfect start to the year at Indian Wells on Thursday night, beating Cam Norrie in the quarterfinals of the Masters 1000 event, 6-3, 6-4, to improve to 16-0 in 2026.He's now into the semifinals at Indian Wells for the fifth year in a row, just the third man in tournament history to achieve that incredible feat, after Rafael Nadal (2006-2013) and Novak Djokovic (2011-2016).But there's something even more incredible he did with his latest win—he now has a better career winning percentage than Roger Federer. He's now into the semifinals at Indian Wells for the fifth year in a row, just the third man in tournament history to achieve that incredible feat, after Rafael Nadal (2006-2013) and Novak Djokovic (2011-2016).But there's something even more incredible he did with his latest win—he now has a better career winning percentage than Roger Federer. But there's something even more incredible he did with his latest win—he now has a better career winning percentage than Roger Federer. Alcaraz went into his quarterfinal match with a .8194 career winning percentage in tour-level matches (295-65) and improves to .8199 with the win (296-65), surpassing Federer's .8198 (1,251-275).With a minimum of 200 matches played, Alcaraz now has the fourth-best career winning percentage for a man in the Open Era.BEST MEN'S CAREER WINNING PERCENTAGES IN OPEN ERA (tour-level, minimum 200 matches played):.8327: Novak Djokovic [1,170-235].8259: Rafael Nadal [1,080-228].8238: Bjorn Borg [654-140].8199: Carlos Alcaraz [296-65].8198: Roger Federer [1,251-275].8182: Jimmy Connors [1,274-283].8168: John McEnroe [883-198].8153: Ivan Lendl [1,068-242].7978: Rod Laver [576-146].7905: Jannik Sinner [332-88]The 22-year-old Spaniard actually started 2026 at No. 5 after his opening win at Indian Wells last week, and now Federer for No. 4 after his latest win.He can't move up the list any further during Indian Wells. With a minimum of 200 matches played, Alcaraz now has the fourth-best career winning percentage for a man in the Open Era.BEST MEN'S CAREER WINNING PERCENTAGES IN OPEN ERA (tour-level, minimum 200 matches played):.8327: Novak Djokovic [1,170-235].8259: Rafael Nadal [1,080-228].8238: Bjorn Borg [654-140].8199: Carlos Alcaraz [296-65].8198: Roger Federer [1,251-275].8182: Jimmy Connors [1,274-283].8168: John McEnroe [883-198].8153: Ivan Lendl [1,068-242].7978: Rod Laver [576-146].7905: Jannik Sinner [332-88]The 22-year-old Spaniard actually started 2026 at No. 5 after his opening win at Indian Wells last week, and now Federer for No. 4 after his latest win.He can't move up the list any further during Indian Wells. BEST MEN'S CAREER WINNING PERCENTAGES IN OPEN ERA (tour-level, minimum 200 matches played):.8327: Novak Djokovic [1,170-235].8259: Rafael Nadal [1,080-228].8238: Bjorn Borg [654-140].8199: Carlos Alcaraz [296-65].8198: Roger Federer [1,251-275].8182: Jimmy Connors [1,274-283].8168: John McEnroe [883-198].8153: Ivan Lendl [1,068-242].7978: Rod Laver [576-146].7905: Jannik Sinner [332-88]The 22-year-old Spaniard actually started 2026 at No. 5 after his opening win at Indian Wells last week, and now Federer for No. 4 after his latest win.He can't move up the list any further during Indian Wells. 5 after his opening win at Indian Wells last week, and now Federer for No. 4 after his latest win.He can't move up the list any further during Indian Wells. He can't move up the list any further during Indian Wells. Alcaraz led Norrie in their head-to-head going into the match, 5-3, but had lost three of their last five encounters—including their most recent one at the last Masters 1000 event in Paris, last fall.But Alcaraz got his revenge against the 2021 Indian Wells champion this time, rolling through the first set in exactly half an hour and then bouncing back from an early 2-0 deficit to close it out in straight sets.Norrie provided some resistance at the end, fighting off two match points in his 3-5 service game and then another one when Alcaraz served for it at 5-4, but the Spaniard closed it out on his fourth.“It was really difficult to be honest,” he said in his on-court interview.“I mean, I struggle a lot with his style. Every time I play against him it's really tough for me. I'm happy to play this level, but Cam should be proud.”Awaiting the No. 11 seed Daniil Medvedev, a 6-1, 7-5 winner earlier in the night session against No. 14 seed and defending champion Jack Draper.Alcaraz leads the head-to-head with Medvedev, 6-2, winning their last four meetings in a row (and nine of their last 10 sets). But Alcaraz got his revenge against the 2021 Indian Wells champion this time, rolling through the first set in exactly half an hour and then bouncing back from an early 2-0 deficit to close it out in straight sets.Norrie provided some resistance at the end, fighting off two match points in his 3-5 service game and then another one when Alcaraz served for it at 5-4, but the Spaniard closed it out on his fourth.“It was really difficult to be honest,” he said in his on-court interview.“I mean, I struggle a lot with his style. Every time I play against him it's really tough for me. I'm happy to play this level, but Cam should be proud.”Awaiting the No. 11 seed Daniil Medvedev, a 6-1, 7-5 winner earlier in the night session against No. 14 seed and defending champion Jack Draper.Alcaraz leads the head-to-head with Medvedev, 6-2, winning their last four meetings in a row (and nine of their last 10 sets). Norrie provided some resistance at the end, fighting off two match points in his 3-5 service game and then another one when Alcaraz served for it at 5-4, but the Spaniard closed it out on his fourth.“It was really difficult to be honest,” he said in his on-court interview.“I mean, I struggle a lot with his style. Every time I play against him it's really tough for me. I'm happy to play this level, but Cam should be proud.”Awaiting the No. 11 seed Daniil Medvedev, a 6-1, 7-5 winner earlier in the night session against No. 14 seed and defending champion Jack Draper.Alcaraz leads the head-to-head with Medvedev, 6-2, winning their last four meetings in a row (and nine of their last 10 sets). “It was really difficult to be honest,” he said in his on-court interview.“I mean, I struggle a lot with his style. Every time I play against him it's really tough for me. I'm happy to play this level, but Cam should be proud.”Awaiting the No. 11 seed Daniil Medvedev, a 6-1, 7-5 winner earlier in the night session against No. 14 seed and defending champion Jack Draper.Alcaraz leads the head-to-head with Medvedev, 6-2, winning their last four meetings in a row (and nine of their last 10 sets). Every time I play against him it's really tough for me. I'm happy to play this level, but Cam should be proud.”Awaiting the No. 11 seed Daniil Medvedev, a 6-1, 7-5 winner earlier in the night session against No. 14 seed and defending champion Jack Draper.Alcaraz leads the head-to-head with Medvedev, 6-2, winning their last four meetings in a row (and nine of their last 10 sets). I'm happy to play this level, but Cam should be proud.”Awaiting the No. 11 seed Daniil Medvedev, a 6-1, 7-5 winner earlier in the night session against No. 14 seed and defending champion Jack Draper.Alcaraz leads the head-to-head with Medvedev, 6-2, winning their last four meetings in a row (and nine of their last 10 sets). 11 seed Daniil Medvedev, a 6-1, 7-5 winner earlier in the night session against No. 14 seed and defending champion Jack Draper.Alcaraz leads the head-to-head with Medvedev, 6-2, winning their last four meetings in a row (and nine of their last 10 sets).