Carlos Alcaraz is the king again after absolutely destroying Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells final on Monday morning.
The 19-year-old has jumped Novak Djokovic to re-take the No. 1 ranking — and he did it in breathtaking style during his 6-3 6-2 mauling of Medvedev.
The Russian was red-hot coming into the final — his fourth ATP Tour final in just five weeks — but looked out of his depth against the Spaniard and was dispatched in just 71 minutes.
He looked untouchable on serve and lost just five points on serve in the first set.
It was at the start of the second set, however, where he really began to put Medvedev to the sword.
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He was on a streak of 12 consecutive points won before Medvedev finally got on the board in the second set.
“What a nightmare,” a beIN tennis commentator said of Medvedev.
He said “this is remarkable” when Alcaraz made it 12 consecutive points.
“There is a new king”.
The tennis world was left in awe of Alcaraz.
“An absolute master class thus far from Carlos Alcaraz,” Patrick McEnroe wrote on Twitter.
New York Times tennis reporter Christopher Clarey wrote Alcaraz’s court craft was in an “elite club” after watching him toy with Medvedev in one marathon rally.
American tennis commentator and coach Brad Gilbert wrote he was “so impressed” with Alcaraz’s ability to dominate in every facet of the game.
“His game is off the charts,” he said.
After also claiming the Miami Open in 2022, Alcaraz becomes the youngest player to win the Sunshine Double.
According to tennis journalist Jose Morgado, Alcaraz is also the second youngest winner at Indian Wells, behind only Boris Becker.
Just to rub it in Medvedev’s face, Alcaraz also threw in some cheeky trick shots and came into the net to volley off his serves on several occasions.
“I’m very happy to win this tournament, it’s amazing to complete these 10 days like this,” Alcaraz said.
“Of course the conditions today were very tough. Daniil obviously didn’t play at his best level, but I’m very happy for my performance and how I played this tournament.
“I want to play at this level in Miami as well.”
The ATP Masters 1000 crown is enough for Alcaraz to return to the top of the mountain for now, but he’ll have to successfully defend his Miami title over the course of the next two weeks too keep his throne.
He had already became the youngest number one ever after his triumph at the US Open last year and now he looks like the honour will be his for some time.
Medvedev had been riding a 19-match ATP win streak that saw him win three titles in three weeks at Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai.
Medvedev was the first player since Andy Murray in 2016 to reach four finals in five weeks — but he will be leaving the Californian desert feeling completely forlorn.
Djokovic, barred from entering the United States because he hasn’t been vaccinated against Covid-19, sat out Indian Wells and will miss the Miami Open starting this week.