Alcaraz three-peat bid on track as Cerundolo downed
Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz fought off determined challenger Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) on Thursday to reach the semi-finals of the Indian Wells ATP Masters.
On another cold, blustery night in the California desert, Alcaraz battled back from 1-4 down in the second set, coming up with a break and two love service holds to force the tiebreaker as he kept his bid to join Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as the only men to win three straight Indian Wells titles on track.
Alcaraz had to save break points in each of his first three service games. But after an emphatic hold for 4-3 he gained the first break of the contest with a deft volley and just like that he was serving for the first set.
After sliding to pop a drop volley winner over the net for set point Alcaraz drilled a deep forehand that Cerundolo could barely get a racquet on.
But it was Cerundolo who broke first in the second, finally converting his ninth break point of the match then holding for 4-1.
But he couldn't hold off the world number three, who raced to a 5-2 lead in the tiebreaker on the way to victory.
"It was really difficult for me to start the match," said Alcaraz, who looked less comfortable in the windy weather than he did just a day before.
"He got a lot of chances in the first set," Alcaraz said. "I'm just pleased about saving all of them and taking the only one that I had.
"I didn't hit the ball as clear as yesterday, but I just did what I had to and that's what it's about."
Alcaraz next faces Britain's Jack Draper, who reached his first Masters 1000 semi-final with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over American Ben Shelton.
Draper took the opening set with one break of serve then rallied from 0-3 down in a second-set slug-fest.
Shelton's 32 unforced errors included five double-faults -- including one to hand Draper a break for 6-5 in the second.
Russian Daniil Medvedev, runner-up to Alcaraz each of the past two years, rallied from a break down in a wild, wind-blown final set to beat Arthur Fils 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (9/7).
The world number six booked a semi-final meeting with Denmark's Holger Rune, a 5-7, 6-0, 6-3 winner over Tallon Griekspoor.
- Just happy to win -
Medvedev, a six-time Grand Slam finalist, trailed 20-year-old Fils 2-4 in the third set of a compelling clash that was momentarily paused as gusting winds sent towels and trash cans flying on Stadium Court.
France's Fils had shown admirable maturity in the face of Medvedev's formidable defensive skills.
He cut down on the unforced errors that marred his first set to win the second with ease and maintained his poise as he erased an early break in the third to seize the lead.
But Medvedev wouldn't be denied and after forcing the tiebreaker prevailed on his third match point when Fils pushed a backhand volley long.
Medvedev, who had won just one of his past nine third-set tiebreakers, gave a leap of sheer joy after securing the win in 2 hours and 25 minutes to keep alive his bid for a first title since 2023 -- when he won five.
"I lost a lot of tight matches this year where I could have won, should have won maybe," Medvedev said. "I have lost a lot of tight matches where it goes a little bit 50-50 and the more it goes like that, the more you can lose confidence in the tight moments.
"I was happy I was able to get over the line as he saved some match points and had a break lead in the third. I am just happy to win."
Medvedev faces another young gun in Rune, who burst onto the scene in 2022 with a win over Novak Djokovic in the Paris Masters final.
Rune has struggled often since, but after dropping the first set he dominated Griekspoor, the 43rd-ranked Dutchman who had ousted top-seeded Alexander Zverev in the second round.
bb/rcw
Topics
-
Police launch new search for fugitive father and children missing in New Zealand wilderness for three years
Over the next few days police will be ‘present’ in the remote Marokopa area where Tom Phillips and his three children are believed to be hiding. New Zealand police are launching a fresh operation ...The Guardian - 2d -
Fair Grove girls basketball completes three-peat, beat Principia in Class 3 championship
Fair Grove girls basketball completed the three-peat, further cementing the current senior class as the greatest to ever wear Eagles purple.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
The ACC is on track for its fewest men's NCAA tournament bids in 25 years -- what's next?
The storied college basketball conference is in flux, but it's banking on an injection of money and young wave of coaches to carry it into this new era.ESPN - 2d -
Draper sets up Indian Wells semi-final with Alcaraz
Jack Draper beats Ben Shelton on a cold and blustery evening in Indian Wells to set up a tantalising semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Draper sets up Indian Wells semi-final with Alcaraz
Jack Draper beats Ben Shelton on a cold and blustery evening in Indian Wells to set up a tantalising semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz.BBC News - 9h -
Bracketology: First automatic bid to 2025 NCAA Tournament field on tap as regular season winds down
Jerry Palm looks at the March Madness landscape as the 2024-25 campaign nears an endCBS Sports - 6d -
Dan Hurley, after a difficult season, sees a path for UConn to three-peat
The countdown to March Madness is on. UConn got off to a rough start this year, but Coach Dan Hurley hopes to lead the team to a third straight title.CBS News - 4d -
Suns reported asking price for Kevin Durant will include three first-round picks, young player
Durant and the Suns are expected to part ways this summer and the bidding will be high for the future Hall of Famer.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
SIU Edwardsville earns 2025's first NCAA men's tournament bid, winning OVC over Southeast Missouri State
SIUE is one of three first-timers in the NCAA tournament, along with Omaha and High Point.Yahoo Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
As the NWSL brings in foreign talent, international players savor new opportunity: ‘Everyone just goes for the win all the time’
A new NWSL season kicks off this weekend, and there are a number of new faces across the league. Many of these players represent a trend in the NWSL: an influx of foreign players as the U.S.-based ...Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Dallas governor Patrick Dumont on Doncic trade: 'This was a decision about the future'
Trading a 25-year-old Doncic for a 32-year-old Anthony Davis was about the future? Sure.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Free agent LB Eric Wilson leaves Packers to sign with Vikings
Free agent linebacker Eric Wilson is leaving the Packers to sign a two-year deal with the rival Vikings.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Panthers' Jaycee Horn speaks on being the highest-paid DB in NFL history
Jaycee Horn worked hard to get his record-breaking contract extension. And now, he wants to work even harder to get the Panthers some more wins.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Allen O’Donoghue: The Psychological Impact of Liverpool’s Champions League Exit
Mindset, Expectations, and the Weight of Defeat: Liverpool’s Champions League Exit and the Psychological Battle AheadLiverpool’s elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-G...Yahoo Sports - 13m
More in Sports
-
As the NWSL brings in foreign talent, international players savor new opportunity: ‘Everyone just goes for the win all the time’
A new NWSL season kicks off this weekend, and there are a number of new faces across the league. Many of these players represent a trend in the NWSL: an influx of foreign players as the U.S.-based ...Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Dallas governor Patrick Dumont on Doncic trade: 'This was a decision about the future'
Trading a 25-year-old Doncic for a 32-year-old Anthony Davis was about the future? Sure.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Free agent LB Eric Wilson leaves Packers to sign with Vikings
Free agent linebacker Eric Wilson is leaving the Packers to sign a two-year deal with the rival Vikings.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Panthers' Jaycee Horn speaks on being the highest-paid DB in NFL history
Jaycee Horn worked hard to get his record-breaking contract extension. And now, he wants to work even harder to get the Panthers some more wins.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Manchester City vs Brighton and Hove Albion (Premier League): Match Preview, Team News, Stats, Head to Head, How to Watch
Manchester City return to action back at the Etihad Stadium against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend in the last fixture before the March international break.Pep Guardiola and his players are ...Yahoo Sports - 13m