Alcaraz Now Spain’s Only Hope After Doubles Upset, Sets Up Medvedev Semifinal In Indian Wells
Carlos alcaraz is the only remaining Spanish player at the Indian Wells Masters after the top doubles pairing of Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos were eliminated, and he now prepares to meet Daniil Medvedev in a marquee semifinal that could send him to the final on Sunday at 10: 00 pm ET.
Alcaraz Draws Medvedev In High-Profile Semifinal
Alcaraz will attempt to reach his third final at this event against the Russian Daniil Medvedev, whom he defeated in both 2023 and 2024 to claim back-to-back titles. The winner of the Alcaraz–Medvedev match would advance to play for the Indian Wells crown on Sunday at 10: 00 pm ET against whoever prevails between Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner.
Medvedev Enters With Confidence And Addressed Controversy
Daniil Medvedev has expressed optimism about his chances ahead of the semifinal, saying he believes he has a good opportunity. He arrived at the match buoyed by improved morale and a return to a level of play that recalls his best form. Medvedev also commented on a recent contentious moment with Jack Draper, acknowledging he should have requested a video review earlier and that Draper’s movements had distracted him, while stressing he does not feel the incident amounted to cheating. He noted a coaching change in his team, citing Thomas Johansson as part of his current setup and mentioning he left his previous coach Gilles Cervara.
Doubles: Spain’s Last Final Hope Falls; New Pairs Advance
The Spanish bid for a doubles final was ended when Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos — the tournament’s top seeds and 2024 finalists — lost in the semifinals 6-7, 6-3, 10-5 to the pairing of Guido Andreozzi and Manuel Guinard. That result left Alcaraz as Spain’s sole remaining contender in the tournament.
Advancing in the doubles bracket are Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot, who beat Yuki Bhambri and Andre Goransson 7-5, 6-7, 10-5 to reach the final. Granollers and Zeballos arrived at Indian Wells with recent deep runs this season — a semifinal at the Australian Open and a final at an ATP 500 event in Dallas — but remain without a title so far this year. Granollers is ranked world No. 3 in doubles, just behind his partner Zeballos; the current No. 1 is Neal Skupski, who leads by 50 points over Zeballos and by 140 over Granollers.
With Spain’s doubles prospects halted, all attention at the tournament now turns to the singles semifinals, where Alcaraz and Medvedev will renew a rivalry that produced consecutive champions at this venue and can decide the Spanish No. 1’s immediate path to a third final here.
