One of the ATP Tour’s hottest rivalries returns to the California desert at the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday.
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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have enraptured fans around the world ever since their first Lexus ATP Head2Head clash in 2021. They have dealt in a series of thrilling matchups featuring bold, attacking tennis from both. The pair will aim to replicate their performance on Saturday in Indian Wells. Here they will compete for a spot in the championship match at the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the season.
Both Sinner and Alcaraz will step on court for the semi-final at an intriguing moment in their respective careers. Alcarez has been struggling to find his best level consistently in recent months and is chasing his first title since Wimbledon last July. In his title defense at Indian Wells this fortnight, the Spaniard has been remarkably impressive, having lost only one set on his way to the semifinals. He could hardly have been more dominant.
Sinner, on the other hand, is in the form of his life. The 22-year-old has broken his Grand Slam duck at the Australian Open. He has also win his first 16 tour-level matches of the year. The Italian’s red hot form has made Alcarez wary of the size of his task on Saturday.
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Alcaraz and Sinner Set for Indian Wells Semifinal Showdown
“Honestly, I don’t know how I’m going to approach the match,” said Alcaraz after he beat Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals. “He’s the best tennis player in the world right now, without a doubt… He’s playing unbelievable, no losses this year. I really enjoy watching him play. So, it’s going to be a really difficult match. It’s going to be a big challenge for me to see what my level is facing him.”
Alcaraz did not have to face a break point against Zverev. However, Sinner will believe he possesses the return skills necessary to extend his 4-3 lead in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series against the Spaniard.
“Carlos, it’s always fun to play with him,” said Sinner, who is bidding for his third consecutive tour-level victory against his rival. “We are good friends off the court. On the court, we just try to give 100 per cent. I think we have a good attitude on court. Usually, the matches are good… Especially when he’s serving really well, it’s tough to play against him. I’m looking forward to every challenge.”
There is another prize up for grab though other than the right to take on Daniil Medvedev or Tommy Paul in Sunday’s final. Whoever prevails between Alcaraz and Sinner will wake up on Monday as the No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings, behind Novak Djokovic.