BNP Paribas Open—Indian Wells, CA, U.S.A.
Sunday’s action at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden saw Elena Rybakina and Carlos Alcaraz win respective BNP Paribas Open titles.
First up in the women’s final, reigning Wimbledon champion Rybakina proved the her power quotient was far too strong against recent Aussie Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Winning 7-6(11), 6-4, Rybakina needed two hours and three minutes to capture her crown. Striking seven aces and winning 64 percent of her first serve points, Rybakina broke serve on three occasions and improved to 1-4 against Sabalenka in lifetime meetings.
Ryakina will move up to No. 7 in the world when Monday’s rankings are released. The 23-year-old defeated top seed Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.
Sabalenka, who was looking to win her third title of the season, will remain at No. 2 in the world next week.
Later in the day, the men’s final featured reigning US Open winner Carlos Alcaraz dispatch Daniil Medvedev in comprehensive fashion, 6-3, 6-2.
Needing one hour and 11 to seal his victory, Alcaraz struck 19 winners, won 81 percent of his first serve points and broke serve on three occasions. The 19-year-old will return to World No. 1 in the world on Monday.
Improving to 1-1 against Medvedev in lifetime meetings, Alcaraz will next see action at the Miami Open in Florida next week. The Spaniard is the defending champion of the event.
Medvedev, who was attempting to win his fourth-straight title on Tour, will move up to No. 5 in the world on Monday.
Alcatraz played intelligently by not playing to Medveded’s game of cross shots. He played many drop shots and superb shot volleys.
Alcaraz is the present and future of men’s tennis. Period.