Daniil Medvedev’s Indian Wells campaign was one of the great stories of the tournament, but Jannik Sinner ultimately proved too strong in the final, winning 7-6(6), 7-6(4) to claim the title. For Medvedev, it was the best possible return to form, even if the result was not what he had hoped for.
The Russian had overcome significant adversity to be at the tournament at all, after being caught up in the travel chaos affecting flights from the Middle East. His form on court, however, suggested none of that disruption had affected his mental state.
Medvedev’s semi-final win over Sinner at a recent event had provided the template for how to challenge the world number one, and he employed similar tactics in the final. His flat, aggressive baseline game was effective throughout, and his 4-0 lead in the second tiebreak seemed to put him in a winning position.
Sinner’s recovery from that position — seven consecutive points to win the tiebreak and the match — was the story of the final. Against anyone else, a 4-0 lead in a tiebreak at that stage would likely have been converted, but Sinner’s quality in the clutch moments is exceptional.
Medvedev returns to the world top 10 on Monday, a development that should be welcomed by the sport. His performances at Indian Wells show he remains a serious contender on hard courts, and his clash with Sinner produced one of the finest finals of the season.