Alcaraz cracks his dry spell with Indian Wells title repeat

Carlos Alcaraz ended a title drought stretching back eight months to Wimbledon as he defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-6(5), 6-1 on Sunday to lift the Indian Wells Masters trophy for the second year running.

The Spaniard ranked second in the world claimed the title and lifted some personal doubts about his form after rolling his ankle only weeks ago as he quit a match in Rio.

The ATP No. 2 will next aim for a double at the Miami Masters starting at mid-week.

”Obviously winning tournaments helps a lot coming to the next ones,” Alcaraz said. 

“Winning a Masters 1000 again — it is a really difficult tournament to win — gives you extra motivation to keep going, extra confidence for Miami right now and for what’s next. 

“For me it’s amazing to lift this amazing trophy again, a really beautiful one.”

The final was a repeat of last year’s when Alcaraz also stopped Medvedev. 

“Winning this tournament means a lot to me because the week before it began, I had a lot of doubts about my ankle,” the winner said .

“With really good tennis players it was really tough for me, because I thought I was not going to play my best.

”I was not feeling well with my ankle, so a lot of doubts for me. But once I stepped on the court, the first round, I started to feel better.”

Alcaraz now leads Medvedev 5-3 in their career series, ensuring victory with 23 winners to his opponent’s 11 in a contest lasting for one and three-quarter hours.

The 20-year-old Spaniard now holds five Masters titles and 13 overall; the match was played in front of celebrities including actor Charlize Theron and Maria Sharapova.

Medvedev will put the losses behind him as he heads into a defence of the 2023 Miami title.

Main photo:-Carlos Alcaraz retains his Indian Wells Trophy – ISF Ltd