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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner face off for an eighth time on tour at the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals on Saturday, and we select their five finest meetings heading into this weekend’s tussle for the World No. 2 ranking.
Saturday’s meeting between World No. 2 — Carlos Alcaraz — and No. 3 Jannik Sinner at the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals is a straight shootout for the No. 2 ranking.
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09:00 - 15.03.2024
Indian Wells: Alcaraz and Sinner to make history in semi-final showdown
The prodigiously talented World No. 2 and 3 battle at the BNP Paribas Open semi-final this weekend in a rematch of last year’s encounter, seeing the pair set new records.
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18:03 - 13.03.2024
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Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner
Sinner seeks to continue an astonishing record of winning every match he has played in 2024, a year in which the Italian sensation has won the Australian Open and ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam. The 22-year-old has not dropped a set at Indian Wells.
As for Alcaraz, the two-time Grand Slam winner has responded to his quarter-final setback Down Under against Alexander Zverev to defeat the German comfortably at the ongoing Indian Wells Open, triumphing in the quarter-final match without facing a break point.
Both players have faced off seven times before Saturday, including at last year’s Indian Wells, with the Spaniard claiming the semi-final victory, with the Italian leading 4-3. Pulse Sports looks at five of their best encounters since their first clash in 2021.
Wimbledon 2022: Sinner defeated Alcaraz 6-1, 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3
In their first meeting on Centre Court, Sinner overpowered Alcaraz with his pure ball-striking. Sinner had two match points to complete a straight-sets fourth-round victory until Alcaraz regained his rhythm to win the third-set tie-break. The Spaniard lifted his racquet to enjoy the cheers of the fans after making a conversion on his fourth set point.
Sinner opened the fourth set with two holds of serve as the match became more physical. He then scored the winning break to move one step closer to his third major quarterfinal.
Sinner saved a break point to close out one of the most exciting matches in the Wimbledon week, having missed three more match points on return at 5-3. After three hours and thirty-five minutes, Sinner finished the match with a forehand triumph, his 35th of the encounter.
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US Open 2022: Alcaraz defeated Sinner 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3
Sinner and Alcaraz engaged in a late-night duel in one of the high-quality matches of the 2022 season. The two men's unwavering dedication and excellent tennis skills were the only constants during the five hours and fifteen minutes of twists and turns. Alcaraz and Sinner alternately lit up Arthur Ashe Stadium in the quarter-final clash, showcasing their incredible strength and agility in equal measure.
Sinner led two sets to one after dominating the third-set tie-break. He continued to build on his lead in the fourth set, where he quickly broke through.
However, with Sinner serving at 5-4, the fearless Alcaraz erased a match point and claimed four games in a row to force a fifth set. The Spaniard accomplished the same feat in the fifth set, winning four games in a row despite trailing by a break once again to win at 2:50 a.m.
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BNP Paribas Open 2023: Alcaraz defeated Sinner 7-6(4), 6-3
Last year’s semi-final saw the 20-year-old sensation claim a straight-set win at Indian Wells, the pair’s first meeting since the titanic clash at the US Open.
The first set see-saw, but Alcaraz prevailed in a tie-break. Set two was more straightforward as the Spaniard opened a 3-0 lead to breeze through to take the match with a surprisingly easy second set.
Miami Open 2023: Sinner defeated Alcaraz 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2
Alcaraz and Sinner tussled at the Miami Open semis two weeks after meeting at Indian Wells, with the Italian claiming a win in three sets. Sinner produced one of the year’s highlights in a thrilling semi-final, winning a 25-ball rally culminating in a deft, dipping passing stroke that electrified the crowd.
After facing two break points at 3-4 in the second set, Sinner was in trouble despite his magical moment and early leads in all three sets. However, the Italian responded with a game-changing surge, taking the set and going up 2-0 in the championship match. Alcaraz seemingly battled physical difficulties early in the third set, but he willed himself to one more effort. Ultimately, his 22 winners could not outdo Sinner’s 28.
China Open 2023: Sinner defeated Alcaraz 7-6(4), 6-1
Sinner won his fourth match against Alcaraz in Beijing to open a marginal lead in their head-to-head.
A tight opening set saw Sinner claim a set-ending tie-break, but the Italian found his rhythm in the second after saving five break points in his first couple of service games.
Saturday’s winner at Indian Wells will face either Danil Medvedev or Tommy Paul in the final.
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