Indian Wells 2023: Jannik Sinner topples defending champion Taylor Fritz, to face Carlos Alcaraz in semi-finals

Indian Wells, California: Italy’s Jannik Sinner out-gunned defending champion Taylor Fritz 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 on Thursday to reach the semi-finals of the combined WTA and ATP Masters 1000 at Indian Wells. Sinner, ranked 13th in the world, will face top-seeded World No 2 Carlos Alcaraz who beat 10th-ranked Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-4. In a scintillating Stadium Court showdown between two of the ATP’s big hitters, Sinner denied Southern California native Fritz’s bid for a second straight win in his home tournament.

🏆 Montpellier champion
🥈 Rotterdam finalist
🌴 First Indian Wells semi-final

2023 is heating up for @janniksin 🙌 pic.twitter.com/jlzmzlN8Xk

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 17, 2023

Sinner, winner of the title in Montpellier this year and already the first Italian to reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals, seized the initiative with a service break in the opening game. Fritz, who rose to fifth in the world with a title at Delray Beach this year, was unable to convert his chance to return the favor in the next game and that was enough for Sinner to seize the set. Fritz responded in the second, losing just four points on his serve and converting the only break point in the final game when he slipped a low forehand up the line past the Italian.

Sinner is FLYING 💥@janniksin #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/qyCRjXbWJ0

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 16, 2023

“I think the wind came a little bit at some point especially in the second,” Sinner said. “He started to move me around a little bit more. “And then we both we have very similar play styles. We both tried to be very aggressive on the baseline. So I tried to mix things up a little bit and obviously I’m very happy with the way I played the last set.” It was neck and neck again in the third, which opened with an exchange of breaks before Fritz used his big serve to escape a 0-40 jam. Fritz saved another break point in the seventh game, racing forward on Sinner’s drop shot and coming up with an angled backhand winner.

105 mph
103 mph
95 mph
93 mph

Reliving this INSANE @janniksin service game - featuring four winners upwards of 90 mph 💣 😨 pic.twitter.com/k5DDxk9zSn

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 17, 2023

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But Sinner broke through in the ninth game, his pounding forehand to the corner forcing the miss from Fritz on break point. Sinner polished it off with a hold at love after two hours and 17 minutes. “I knew the last games would be tough to close it out, I was also a little bit against wind,” Sinner said. “I just tried to play quite aggressively which I’ve done. “Obviously (I’m) very happy about the performance, playing against Taylor is not easy. I lost against him two years ago here and given the conditions, I’m very happy that I found a way to win.” First win for Alcaraz over Felix [caption id=“attachment_12308032” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells ATP 1000 Masters. AP[/caption] Alcaraz posted his first win over the 10th-ranked Canadian in four career meetings to keep his bid to regain the world number one ranking on track. “Probably I played one of my best matches on this season, so I’m really happy,” Alcaraz said. Sinner has a chance to avenge his loss to Alcaraz in a quarter-final thriller at the US Open last year. That five-set battle lasted five hours and 15 minutes, its 2:50am finish the latest in US Open history. Alcaraz would go on to lift the trophy and become the youngest world number one in the history of the ATP rankings. “I’m really happy to play against him again,” Alcaraz said of facing Sinner. “Great battles.” Alcaraz has slipped behind Novak Djokovic in the rankings, but after injury delayed his 2023 season start to February the 19-year-old Spaniard has won one title at Buenos Aires and reached the final at Rio de Janeiro.

Onward he goes 🤗@carlosalcaraz continues his quest for a 3rd Masters 1000 title and to regain the World No. 1 ranking!#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/sKDOmGrISv

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 17, 2023

Alcaraz hadn’t dropped a set in reaching the quarters, but Auger-Aliassime was the first top 10 player he has faced this year. This time, Alcaraz was ready for him, saying his prior defeats to Auger-Aliassime had taught him to “stay there.” “The previous matches, in Davis Cup it was close, I had my chances,” said Alcaraz, who last fell to the Canadian in Basel in October. “In Basel I remember I give up a little bit. Today the goal of mine was to stay there. I knew that I was going to have my chances, (I) tried to take it.”

Carlitos. Is. EVERYWHERE. 🔥🔥@carlosalcaraz #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/QSsGr4n5qt

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 17, 2023

The two-hour clash was a thrilling display of athleticism and shot making from both players. Alcaraz saved the first break point he faced as he served out the first set, but after he broke to open the second Auger-Aliassime – who saved six match points in a fourth-round win over Tommy Paul – promptly broke back to set the tone for a tense back and forth battle. Auger-Aliassime had already saved two break points in the 10th game when Alcaraz gave himself another with a backhand volley winner.

Doesn't.
Ever.
Give.
Up.@carlosalcaraz 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tIsmEsRJ4w

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 17, 2023

The seven-minute game ended with Auger-Aliassime sending a backhand wide and convincingly served it out, finishing off the match with yet another forehand winner. “He has a big serve, really big first serve,” said Alcaraz, who had never broken Auger-Aliassime’s serve before. “I tried to attack the second serve, tried to dominate the point, tried to play from the baseline – tried to be aggressive and take the opportunity when he is serving the second serve.” Read all the Latest News , Trending News ,  Cricket News , Bollywood News ,  India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.