Carlos Alcaraz reaches the Indian Wells semi-finals again after extending his unbeaten 2026 season and defeating Cameron Norrie on Thursday. The world number one from Spain sealed a 6-3, 6-4 win in a tight, momentum-shifting contest to make the last four at Indian Wells for a fifth straight year.
Alcaraz also avenged a recent loss to Norrie, who beat him at the Paris Masters in November.
Alcaraz acknowledged the challenge Norrie presents, describing the left-hander’s heavy topspin forehand and flatter, lower backhand as a difficult combination to read.
Norrie briefly swung the opener in his favour when he broke Alcaraz at love to close to 4-3 after trailing 4-2. However, Alcaraz responded immediately, regained control with another break, and wrapped up the first set in 31 minutes.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Norrie broke for a 2-0 lead, but Alcaraz steadied himself and won the next four games to move in front.
Norrie saved two match points on his serve, yet Alcaraz stayed composed and served out the victory. He said he found the right shots and played solidly, adding aggression when the openings appeared.
Medvedev Sets Up Semi-Final After Draper Match And Hindrance Call
Alcaraz will meet Daniil Medvedev, who extended his own ATP winning streak to eight matches with a 6-1, 7-5 win over defending champion Jack Draper.
Medvedev seized control early and said he played the first set at an exceptional level. Draper raised his intensity in the second, but Medvedev erased the only break point he faced with an ace.
Medvedev then secured the only break of the second set to lead 6-5 before closing out the match.
A controversial moment arrived earlier in that 11th game. After Medvedev queried the chair umpire, the official ruled that Draper caused a hindrance with a raised-arm gesture during a point. The umpire told Medvedev the situation could go to video review and subsequently awarded Medvedev the point.
Read: Indian Wells 2026: Alcaraz Eyes Perfect Start, Sinner Returns as Djokovic Chases Record
Medvedev said the gesture did not distract him “big time,” but he felt it affected the quality of one forehand during the rally. He also added he did not feel good about the situation, while insisting he did not cheat.
Sinner And Zverev Book The Other Semi-Final
In the other half of the draw, world number two Jannik Sinner powered past 20-year-old American Learner Tien 6-1, 6-2 to stay on course for a first Indian Wells title.
Sinner broke early after Tien double-faulted in the second game and then cruised, breaking Tien four times. He also saved all four break points he faced. Tien appeared to struggle physically in the second set after his previous match, where he saved two match points against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Sinner said he felt good in the hot afternoon conditions and noted that he has worked to improve after experiencing problems in the heat at the Australian Open.
Alexander Zverev joined him in the last four, beating Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-3 to reach the Indian Wells semi-finals for the first time. Zverev also became the fifth player to reach the semi-finals of all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
