Daniil Medvedev Comes Back From A Set Down To Set Up A Rematch Against Carlos Alcaraz At Indian Wells

The world no. 4, Daniil Medvedev wins a bizarre match against home hope Tommy Paul in three sets 1-6, 7-6(3), 6-2. He came back from a terrible first set to dispatch Paul in the decider to reach his second final of the season; his first tournament after an incredibly tiring run at the Australian Open early this year. 

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Tommy Paul came into the semifinals hot, firing winners, going to the net, outplaying Medvedev to lead 4-0 in the first set. It took him only 30 minutes to secure the first set 6-1. Then momentum shifted in the second set as Medvedev found himself leading 4-0, but this time Paul fought to regain footing and won four games in a row to get back on serve, resulting in a tie-break. 

Unfortunately, for Tommy Paul, he rolled his ankle while chasing down a ball and that allowed Medvedev to run off with the second. In the third, though Paul’s movement was not hindered much by the injury, Medvedev was finally able to settle in his own rhythm and play his usual game, gaining an early break and closing the match out 6-2. It took Medvedev 2 hours and 23 minutes to finally secure his spot in the finals.

Medvedev once again spent so much more time on court as compared to his counterparts, digging himself out of a massive hole to set up a rematch of last year’s finals at the Californian desert against Carlos Alcaraz, where he lost. Medvedev will complete his hard court Masters 1000 trophy collection by securing the Indian Wells for the first time in his career if he does get his revenge against the Spaniard.