Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will face each other in a potential blockbuster Indian Wells semi-final after the pair made serene progress in Thursday’s quarter-finals.
Sinner was the first move into the last four, proving too solid for Jiri Lehecka in windy conditions before Alcaraz joined him thanks to a blistering display of forehand hitting to dispatch Sascha Zverev easily.
In the other half of the draw, Tommy Paul kept home hopes alive with a hard-fought three-set win over Casper Ruud, while Daniil Medvedev removed the other Scandinavian from the draw thanks to his court coverage proving too frustrating for Holger Rune.
You can see match stats, highlights and a quick recap of each quarter-final below.
Day Nine 2024 BNP Paribas Open Quarter Final Results
| Winner | Loser | Scoreline |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Alcaraz (2) | Alexander Zverev (6) | 6-3 6-1 |
| Jannik Sinner (3) | Jiri Lehecka (32) | 6-3 6-3 |
| Daniil Medvedev (4) | Holger Rune (7) | 7-5 6-4 |
| Tommy Paul (17) | Casper Ruud (9) | 6-2 1-6 6-3 |
Alcaraz Makes Beeline to Semi-Finals
Given he’d beaten him three times last year, Sascha Zverev looked like Alcaraz’s most significant obstacle to making the semi-finals in Indian Wells.
However, a swarm of bees proved more likely to derail the Spaniard on Thursday. Just nine minutes into the match, a bee swarm engulfed Stadium 1 court, halting play for almost two hours.
A beekeeper had to be called to resolve the issue, which he did with aplomb. On resumption, Alcaraz provided all the sting as he took apart Zverev from the baseline.
It was the best match I’ve seen from Alcaraz in a while. It was total domination, and he didn’t face a breakpoint. He won 87% and 75% behind his first and second serves.
Un-bee-livable, and despite Sinner’s form, I make a small favourite in their semi-final based on how he likes the conditions.
I’m really, really happy with the level that I’m playing. The way I’m using the court, I think, is really important for me, for my game. The opponent doesn’t know what’s going to come next. Probably, I’m going to return inside the court, in the deep parts. It’s confusing for them, that’s my style, that’s my game. Alcaraz on his straightforward win over Zverev.
Match Stats
| Alexander Zverev | Carlos Alcaraz | |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 3 | 1 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 0 |
| 1st Serve Percentage | 78% | 79% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 51% (25/49) | 87% (27/31) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 50% (7/14) | 75% (6/8) |
| Break Points Saved | 20% (1/5) | 0% (0/0) |
| 1st Return Points Won | 13% (4/31) | 49% (24/49) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 25% (2/8) | 50% (7/14) |
| Break Points Converted | 0% (0/0) | 80% (4/5) |
| Winners | 10 | 17 |
| Unforced Errors | 10 | 6 |
| Net Points Won | 50% (11/22) | 79% (15/19) |
| Max Points In Row | 5 | 7 |
| Service Points Won | 51% (32/63) | 85% (33/39) |
| Return Points Won | 15% (6/39) | 49% (31/63) |
| Total Points Won | 37% (38/102) | 63% (64/102) |
| Max Games In Row | 1 | 5 |
| Service Games Won | 50% (4/8) | 100% (8/8) |
| Return Games Won | 0% (0/8) | 50% (4/8) |
| Total Games Won | 25% (4/16) | 75% (12/16) |
Highlights
Sinner Too Good For Lehecka
Heading into his quarter-final, Jiri Lehecka had the best serve numbers from anyone left in the tournament, but in windy conditions, Sinner nullified that weapon, breaking three times en route to a 6-3, 6-3 victory.
While scrappy in parts, Sinner has been a beacon of consistency recently and that continued against the Czech as he committed just 13 unforced errors to Lehecka’s 35 to get the job done.
I am very pleased becasue the situation on court was different. In the morning it was really windy and in the first set it was tough to handle the situation. He is an incredible player and has huge potential, so I was aware of every point that I made. In the other way I am just happy becasue I made the semi-finals last year and this year I have a chance to play in the semis again. It is one of the greatest tournaments that we have in the whole year, so I am really happy and pleased. Sinner on the windy conditions vs Lehecka.
Match Stats
| Jiri Lehecka | Jannik Sinner | |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 5 | 3 |
| Double Faults | 3 | 2 |
| 1st Serve Percentage | 67% | 53% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 68% (32/47) | 85% (23/27) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 30% (7/23) | 63% (15/24) |
| Break Points Saved | 73% (8/11) | 100% (1/1) |
| 1st Return Points Won | 15% (4/27) | 32% (15/47) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 38% (9/24) | 70% (16/23) |
| Break Points Converted | 0% (0/1) | 27% (3/11) |
| Winners | 8 | 12 |
| Unforced Errors | 14 | 5 |
| Net Points Won | 44% (7/16) | 77% (10/13) |
| Max Points In Row | 4 | 6 |
| Service Points Won | 56% (39/70) | 75% (38/51) |
| Return Points Won | 25% (13/51) | 44% (31/70) |
| Total Points Won | 43% (52/121) | 57% (69/121) |
| Max Games In Row | 1 | 3 |
| Service Games Won | 67% (6/9) | 100% (9/9) |
| Return Games Won | 0% (0/9) | 33% (3/9) |
| Total Games Won | 33% (6/18) | 67% (12/18) |
Highlights
Medvedev Out Hustles Rune
Daniil Medvedev proved too consistent for Holger Rune in their quarter-final clash. His ability to chase down any ball proved the difference, with the fourth seed coming through 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 59 minutes.
Outside the lengthy rallies, the highlight of the match was Medvedev kicking off with Rune after the Dane went directly at his body with a passing shot after Medvedev had tracked down a drop shot.
Medvedev hadn’t seen Rune apologise for the shot (something I find pointless) and gesticulated that he was watching him closely.
That resulted in another Memevedev moment, where he pulled up his shorts to mimic Rune, somewhat similar to Robin Soderling’s impersonating Nadal at Wimbledon many moons ago.
The pair appeared to have resolved it on court, and Medvedev apologised at the net, but it’s only fitting that given he and the small cat Tstisipas have resolved their differences, he has a new foe to needle 😁
Tough conditions. Especially in the first set, it was very, very windy. Tough to play beautiful; let’s call it this way. The only thing that you have to try and do is to win another point… I’m happy that I managed to be a bit more solid in the end, some good serves in important moments. Happy to be through in the next round. Medvedev on winning ugly vs Rune.
Match Stats
| Daniil Medvedev | Holger Rune | |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 4 | 0 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 6 |
| 1st Serve Percentage | 60% | 56% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 68% (30/44) | 68% (32/47) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 62% (18/29) | 38% (14/37) |
| Break Points Saved | 75% (6/8) | 60% (6/10) |
| 1st Return Points Won | 32% (15/47) | 32% (14/44) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 62% (23/37) | 38% (11/29) |
| Break Points Converted | 40% (4/10) | 25% (2/8) |
| Winners | 18 | 22 |
| Unforced Errors | 11 | 20 |
| Net Points Won | 57% (12/21) | 63% (25/40) |
| Max Points In Row | 7 | 5 |
| Service Points Won | 66% (48/73) | 55% (46/84) |
| Return Points Won | 45% (38/84) | 34% (25/73) |
| Total Points Won | 55% (86/157) | 45% (71/157) |
| Max Games In Row | 4 | 2 |
| Service Games Won | 82% (9/11) | 64% (7/11) |
| Return Games Won | 36% (4/11) | 18% (2/11) |
| Total Games Won | 59% (13/22) | 41% (9/22) |
Highlights
Paul Pushes Aside Ruud
Tommy Paul punched his ticket to his second career Masters 1000 semi-final with a hard-fought 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 victory over Casper Ruud.
The match was a bit of a rollercoaster from start to finish. Paul showcased lots of athleticism, especially at the beginning and end, overcoming losing his break at 4-2 in the third by immediately recapturing it and then saving two more break points to serve it out 6-3.
Like some of the other quarter-finals, it was a scrappy affair in places, but I liked Paul’s positivity about moving forward. He made 41 net forays, which helped his cause as there was otherwise little to separate the two.
I am really pumped with how I am playing. I like how I am playing on the pressure and big points. I am excited for another match. Casper came out in the second set and changed the momentum. His energy was way better and I was playing the match on his terms in the second. I think in the third game of the third set he had some chances and it was tough game to get out of and it kind of set the tone. He got the break back and I could have got down on myself but think I did a good job regrouping. Paul on his level so far in Indian Wells.
Match Stats
| Tommy Paul | Casper Ruud | |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 5 | 2 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 0 |
| 1st Serve Percentage | 55% | 71% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 72% (34/47) | 60% (40/67) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 38% (15/39) | 41% (11/27) |
| Break Points Saved | 64% (7/11) | 67% (10/15) |
| 1st Return Points Won | 40% (27/67) | 28% (13/47) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 59% (16/27) | 62% (24/39) |
| Break Points Converted | 33% (5/15) | 36% (4/11) |
| Winners | 27 | 11 |
| Unforced Errors | 24 | 12 |
| Net Points Won | 63% (26/41) | 60% (12/20) |
| Max Points In Row | 5 | 6 |
| Service Points Won | 57% (49/86) | 54% (51/94) |
| Return Points Won | 46% (43/94) | 43% (37/86) |
| Total Points Won | 51% (92/180) | 49% (88/180) |
| Max Games In Row | 4 | 3 |
| Service Games Won | 67% (8/12) | 58% (7/12) |
| Return Games Won | 42% (5/12) | 33% (4/12) |
| Total Games Won | 54% (13/24) | 46% (11/24) |
Highlights
BNP Paribas Open 2024 Sem Finals
- Tommy Paul (17) vs Daniil Medvedev (4)
- Jannik Sinner (3) vs Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Who do you think makes the final in Indian Wells? Let me know in the comments.
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