Daniil Medvedev had no answer to Jannik Sinner’s seven-point comeback from 4-0 down in the second-set tiebreak of the Indian Wells final. The world number one’s extraordinary run of points sealed a 7-6(6), 7-6(4) victory that gave him the title and completed his hard-court legacy.
Medvedev had come to the final with a genuine plan and the tennis to execute it. His semi-final victory over Sinner at a recent event had provided the blueprint, and he employed similar tactics in California — flat, aggressive hitting that drove Sinner back and created opportunities.
For long stretches of the final, Medvedev’s approach was effective. He pushed the Italian to both tiebreaks and, when he moved to 4-0 in the second, appeared to have established the advantage needed to force a decider and change the match’s dynamic.
Sinner’s reply was so complete and so sudden that it left Medvedev with no time to respond. Seven consecutive points — a mixture of powerful serves, penetrating groundstrokes, and exquisite net plays — erased the deficit and delivered the championship to the Italian in a matter of minutes.
The win gave Sinner every major hard-court title in tennis at 24. Sabalenka’s equally impressive women’s final victory — 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) over Rybakina, featuring a match-point save — completed a day of outstanding tennis at one of the sport’s most prestigious events.