The 2023 Indian Wells Masters has come to an end, with Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina crowned as the men’s and women’s singles champions, respectively.
The two were deserved winners as they were absolutely dominant and did not drop a single set throughout the tournament.
As for the losing finalists, Daniil Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka, they are ready to start over after their setbacks.
Read on below as SBOTOP rounds up the last bits of Indian Wells Masters 2023 news.
Carlos Alcaraz returns to No 1 with Indian Wells win
Carlos Alcaraz has indeed shone in California as he reclaimed the ATP Tour No 1 ranking after his dominant 6-3 6-2 win over Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Indian Wells Masters.
The 19-year-old, who became the youngest ever player to finish year-end No 1 at the end of last season, needed just over an hour to dispose of Medvedev, who had come into the match on a 19-match winning streak.
And in claiming the title at Indian Wells, he will return to the top of the ATP Tour rankings over Novak Djokovic, who remains unable to enter the United States due to his unvaccinated status.
“It means a lot to me. To recover the No. 1 [ranking] is crazy for me,” Alcaraz said post-match. “But especially to lift the trophy here for me means a lot… I love this tournament. I really enjoy my time here and of course I felt the love from the people from day one. For me, it’s amazing to complete these 10 days like this.”
Alcaraz, who also holds ATP Masters 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid, has become the youngest man in history to win both tournaments in the Sunshine Double – Indian Wells and Miami. He also becomes the second player after Spanish compatriot Rafael Nadal to win at least three Masters 1000 titles as a teenager.
Elena Rybakina gets her revenge on Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina’s rise as one of the top women’s tennis players in the world continues. After defying the Indian Wells Masters 2023 betting odds to defeat world No 1 Iga Swiatek, Rybakina scored a commanding 7-6(11) 6-4 win world No 2 over Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells women’s singles final.
This matchup was a rematch of this year’s Australian Open final, which Sabalenka won in three sets. But Rybakina learnt some important lessons from that match as she finally got her first win over Sabalenka in five tries.
“Super happy because I played a lot of finals and in the statistics, I lost more than I won,” Rybakina said. “This is a really good win for me. Against Aryna I was 0-4, now it’s 1-4.
“I’m really happy that I actually managed to play until the end of this tournament because it was tough conditions. I kept saying it was a bit slow for me and in the end, I have to change my mind now coming back next year. All these things came together.”
With her win, Rybakina – the reigning Wimbledon champion – will rise to a career-high No 7 in the WTA Rankings.
Medvedev and Sabalenka ready to move on
As for the Indian Wells Masters’ losing finalists, Daniil Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka, they are keeping a positive mindset after their recent disappointments.
Medvedev, who had his run of 19 straight wins snapped, believes he will move on quickly from his defeat to Alcaraz.
“I think this one I will get over pretty quickly,” Medvedev said. “I managed to make my best result in Indian Wells where before I couldn’t make it to the quarters, and already my second match was a three-setter.
“A lot of positives, for sure. I think this one, I will be forever disappointed that I didn’t win the final, but I can laugh already and whatever, I’m gonna try to win the next one or win this one next year. Looking forward already and, for sure, will not think too much about this one but will discuss it with my coach.”
Meanwhile, Sabalenka bemoaned her missed opportunities early in the match, but she is confident she will learn an important lesson and come back better for it.
“It’s going to be in my head till tomorrow because there were so many points where I could play better and where I could handle myself better, especially serving for the set,” Sabalenka said.
“This is just another lesson, and that’s OK. I have nothing against that. I will learn. I will come back better.”
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE TENNIS STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
