The phenomenon is back. Carlos Alcaraz ended on Sunday a period of drought unprecedented for him since he exploded at the highest level. For the first time since Wimbledon last July, the world number 2 lifted a trophy on the circuit by retaining his title at Indian Wells. To do this, he imposed his law on Daniil Medvedev in two sets (7-6, 6-1) and 1h42 of play in the final of the Californian Masters 1000. This is the 13th title of his young career, the 5th in Masters 1000 and the first in 2024.
And to think that when he arrived in California, he was assailed by doubts, as he recalled in a post-match interview on the court. In ten days, Carlos Alcaraz gradually erased them from his mind one by one, until this weekend he became again the extra-terrestrial who had enchanted and amazed us during the first part of the 2023 season. First in half -final against the one who was still invincible this season, Jannik Sinner, then in the final this Sunday against Daniil Medvedev, decidedly unhappy after his cruel defeat in Australia.
Medvedev had, however, got off to the best start
The Russian must be all the more frustrated that in this remake of the 2023 final, he existed this time. He even got the best start in a windy start to the match which saw him make the break from the start (3-0). Alcaraz, who gave the feeling of being a step behind, however gradually entered the game, gradually limiting his waste while remaining very aggressive. Coming back to level (3-3), he was more threatening than his rival on the restart in the second part of the first set, but Medvedev held the shock perfectly until a tie-break which served as a turning point .
The final got excited: off balance, Alcaraz pulled off an improbable shot against Medvedev
By winning 7 points to 5 on a final tug of war won in the diagonal forehand, Alcaraz shouted as much his rage to win as his relief. Because by taking the lead after more than an hour of fighting, he struck a double blow: he freed himself by knocking out his opponent. The following ? A break at the start of the second act (7-6, 3-0), a mess of changes of rhythm, breathtaking flashes and inspirations that his youth idol, Roger Federer, would not have denied. It was too much for Medvedev who gave in his commitment one last time at 4-1, disgusted and drunk with blows.
Once ahead, Alcaraz was alone on his planet
It must be said that it was sometimes difficult not to hold one’s breath in front of such defensive ground coverage combined with tremendous explosiveness and delightful enthusiasm. This magical combination has been somewhat lacking in Alcaraz lately. His freewheeling end to the match, between missiles leaving his rival in place, deliciously masked drop shots, inspired volley returns and phenomenal ball heaviness aroused exclamations of admiration from an audience which ended up annoying Medvedev.
But how can you blame American fans in the face of so much tennis beauty? Only the Murcian can progress to these heights as he has so many weapons in his game. We had forgotten him a little in recent months. He reminded us in style this Sunday.
A very big show: The top 5 points of Indian Wells in video