Medvedev eliminated the defending champion and Djokovic’s executioner in Indian Wells and dreams of his first crown

ByDavid Mitchell
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Daniil Medvedev (11th in the world ranking) left Indian Wells without a defending champion. The Russian He was in charge of showing Jack Draper (14th) the exit door of the tournament by 6-1 and 7-5who had surprised everyone in 2025, when he established himself in this contest.

The accumulated fatigue, a product of huge victory against Novak Djokovic (3rd) in the round of 16seemed to play tricks on the British at the start of the match. So much so that there was little he could do to complicate things for the Russian, who seemed engaged from the beginning and marked clear differences with his rival.

However, he did not sit idly by and at the beginning of the second race he showed that he was willing to fight for the win. Thus, he definitively matched the actions. The former world No. 1 tried to continue pressing as he had done at the beginning, but he encountered a better response from his opponent, who began to land better shots.

Although the defending champion raised the level considerably, Medvedev was able to stay in the match and achieved a key break at 5-5, which allowed him to take a defining advantage. After changing sides, he had no problems closing the duel with his serve and thus scored a victory that allowed him to reach the semifinals of the first Masters 1000 of the season and paves the way for there to be a new champion in the Desert, given that Draper himself was defending the crown.

With this victory, the Muscovite advanced to his fourth semifinal in this competition and continues to dream of lifting his first title here, taking into account that in 2023 and 2024 he fell in the final against Carlos Alcaraz (1st) and in 2025 it succumbed to Holger Rune (12th) in the step prior to the decisive duel. And the world No. 1 could precisely be his next rival in the tournament, although to do so he must defeat Cameron Norrie (24th).

All the activity of the Indian Wells Masters 1000 can be followed LIVE on Disney+ Premium Plan.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.