Daniil Medvedev gave everything at Indian Wells and came within touching distance of the title, but Jannik Sinner’s extraordinary quality in the critical moments proved the decisive factor. The Italian’s 7-6(6), 7-6(4) victory completed a historic collection of hard-court titles and added his name to the Indian Wells roll of honour.
Medvedev’s performance throughout the fortnight was a reminder that his best tennis is still capable of troubling the very finest players in the world. His aggressive, precise game had produced a semi-final win over Sinner at a previous event, and he brought that same quality to the Indian Wells final.
Leading 4-0 in the second tiebreak, Medvedev appeared close to forcing a third set. His flat, penetrating shots had been causing Sinner problems throughout, and the tiebreak advantage seemed to reflect that superiority in the second set.
Sinner’s seven-point reply was extraordinary in its completeness. Each point was won on the Italian’s terms — powerful serves, precise groundstrokes, and smart tactical choices that left Medvedev unable to respond. It was a sequence that changed the match and decided the championship.
Medvedev will return to the world top 10 on Monday, a tangible reward for an excellent week. Sabalenka’s women’s title — won with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) victory over Rybakina — provided the final chapter of an Indian Wells fortnight that will be remembered as one of the finest in the tournament’s history.
