World number one Carlos Alcaraz moved into the semi-finals at Indian Wells with a 6-3 6-4 win over Cameron Norrie on Thursday. The Spaniard will now face Daniil Medvedev after the Russian defeated Jack Draper 6-1 7-5.
Alcaraz stayed unbeaten this year. He now holds a 16-0 record after another strong display.
He controlled the first set with ease. Norrie tried to fight back in the second set and went 2-0 up. But Alcaraz quickly took control again and closed out the match.
“It was really difficult, I struggled with Cameron’s style,” Alcaraz said.
“His forehand has super top-spin and his backhands are flat so it’s tricky to play against him and find the correct shots. I played solid and aggressive when I could and I’m happy to be at this level.”
Medvedev also looked sharp against Draper. The Brit had little time to recover after his big win over Novak Djokovic the day before.
Draper improved in the second set and stayed level at 5-5. But Medvedev broke late to take the match after a controversial umpire call.
During a rally, Draper raised his arm as he thought the ball went out. Medvedev later said the gesture distracted him. After a video review, the chair umpire gave Medvedev the point.
Draper said he did not create a big distraction. The umpire kept her decision, and the crowd reacted with loud jeers.
“If you look at the first forehand I did after it happened, I think I could have done a better shot if there was no gesture from Jack,” Medvedev told reporters.
“Was I distracted big time? No. Do I feel good about it? Not really. But I also don’t feel like I cheated or something. I got a bit distracted. I let it go and I let the umpire decide.”
Alexander Zverev also reached the semi-finals. The German beat Arthur Fils 6-2 6-3. It is the first time Zverev has made the last four at Indian Wells.
He will face world number two Jannik Sinner next. The Italian defeated Learner Tien 6-1 6-2.
Svitolina upsets Swiatek
Elina Svitolina knocked out world number two Iga Swiatek with a 6-2 4-6 6-4 win.
Swiatek struggled early in the match. Svitolina took advantage of five double faults and broke serve three times to win the first set in 38 minutes.
Swiatek responded well in the second set and forced a decider. But Svitolina secured the only break in the third set and finished the match with confidence.
It is her first Indian Wells semi-final in seven years.
Aryna Sabalenka also reached the semi-finals. The top seed beat Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko 7-6(0) 6-4.
Mboko pushed Sabalenka hard in the first set. The match went to a tiebreak, which Sabalenka won without losing a point.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Mboko came back to 5-4 and looked ready to force another tiebreak. But Sabalenka held her nerve to seal the win.
“She’s a future Grand Slam champion,” Sabalenka said. “It’s incredible to see how brave these young girls are these days.”
Sabalenka will face Linda Noskova next. The Czech player beat Talia Gibson 6-2 4-6 6-2 to reach her second WTA 1000 semi-final.
Elena Rybakina also advanced with a 6-1 7-6(4) win over Jessica Pegula. She will now meet Svitolina in the semi-finals.
The victory means Rybakina will move up to world number two when the new rankings are released on Monday.
