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Indian Wells<\/span><\/p>\n Two-time finalist next faces Alcaraz<\/p>\n March 13, 2026<\/p>\n Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Daniil Medvedev is one step closer to his first Indian Wells title.<\/span> Daniil Medvedev<\/a> cruised past defending champion Jack Draper<\/a> 6-1, 7-5 on Thursday at the BNP Paribas Open<\/a>, where the 11th seed is into the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive year.<\/p>\n In pursuit of his first Indian Wells trophy, Medvedev is on an eight-match winning streak, having arrived in California following a title run in Dubai. The 30-year-old has won 16 sets in a row since falling to rival Stefanos Tsitsipas<\/a> at the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first set was unreal, I couldn\u2019t miss a ball,\u201d Medvedev said in his on-court interview. \u201cIt was an unbelievable level. Second set, he tried to give everything he had, and he had an opportunity. I had one at 4-all, I should\u2019ve done much better, but it happens. In general, I\u2019m super happy with the way I\u2019m playing now and I\u2019m looking forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Foot on the throttle 🏎️<\/p>\n A powerful performance secures @DaniilMedwed<\/a> a final four spot! @BNPPARIBASOPEN<\/a> | #TennisParadise<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/sKkr2V6ShP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ATP Tour (@atptour) March 13, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Medvedev raced through the opening set in just 24 minutes as Draper appeared physically spent, the Briton still feeling the effects of his thrilling two-hour, 35-minute win against five-time champion Novak Djokovic<\/a> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n With Medvedev\u2019s trademark court coverage on full display, the 23-time tour-level titlist struck his flat backhand with particular precision, blasting the ball into Draper\u2019s forehand corner. Draper held his lone break point while leading at 3-2 in the second set, only to see his chance erased by a Medvedev ace. The former No. 1 then fired two more aces to close that service game in style.<\/p>\n Medvedev earned a crucial break at 5-5 in the second set, a game in which Draper was called for hindrance during the second point. After video review, chair umpire Aurelie Tourte awarded Medvedev the point.<\/p>\n To reach the final, Medvedev will need to defeat World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>, who leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 6-2, including wins in the Indian Wells final in 2023 and 2024. Should Medvedev advance to the championship match, he will return to the Top 10 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time since July.<\/p>\n Medvedev leads the ATP Tour this season with 17 wins. He is the fourth man to reach the Indian Wells semi-finals in four consecutive years, alongside Rafael Nadal<\/a> (2006-13), Djokovic (2011-16) and Alcaraz (2022-25).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\nMedvedev marches past Draper, reaches Indian Wells SFs<\/h2>\n
\n By Grant Thompson<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n