Carlos Alcaraz downs Alexander Zverev after bee invasion halts match at Indian Wells, Daniil Medvedev advances
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Updated 15/03/2024 at 08:44 GMT
“For sure, it is the most unusual match I have ever played in my career." That was the reflection from Carlos Alcaraz after an encounter at Indian Wells that will be remembered just as much for a sudden invasion of bees as the tennis itself. As for the match, Alcaraz strolled through in straight sets in one hour and 48 minutes against Alexander Zverev to set up a showdown with Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz downs Zverev in match including bee invasion - Indian Wells highlights
Carlos Alcaraz was left to reflect on his "most unusual match" after some bees stole the show in his comfortable victory over Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells.
The No. 2 seed downed Zverev 6-3 6-1 in a pretty emphatic fashion, but the match was most notable for the fact that, with Alcaraz serving at 1-1 15-0 in the opening set, there was a sudden swarm of bees.
After the match had to be halted, the players eventually returned and resumed the contest, which the Spaniard sealed convincingly. Afterwards, there was a very clear topic of conversation to look back upon.
“For sure, it is the most unusual match I have ever played in my career,” said Alcaraz in his post-match press conference.
“I've never experienced something like that. I've never seen something like that.
“I think I will remember that match because of that. I think everybody will remember this situation, and we found it a funny thing, that's for sure."
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'I've never seen something like that' - Alcaraz on bee invasion during win over Zverev
He continued: “When we stepped on court [after the delay], there were a few bees in the corner that were bothering us.
"We couldn't start playing again. When we decided to warm up a little bit to see how it goes, I was just hitting some balls and saw some bees around me, so I couldn't stay focused on the ball. I was focused on the bees and tried to stay away from them.
“So that's why we stopped a few more times before the match began again, but after that we decided to warm up again and I saw that the bees weren’t around anymore.
"Just one or two, so I tried to not think about the bees anymore. I tried to stay focused on the ball, stay focused on the point.”
After the restart, he said: "It was a really important game for me. I surprised myself that I stayed focus on the match, not on the bees. It was a great start from my side.”
On facing Sinner in a highly anticipated clash in the semi-finals of the prestigious ATP and WTA event, Alcaraz was coy.
“Honestly, I don't know how I'm going to approach the match,” said Alcaraz of the Sinner clash. "He's the best tennis player in the world right now, without a doubt.
"He's playing unbelievable, no losses this year. I really enjoy watching him play. So it's going to be a really difficult match. It's going to be a big challenge for me to see what my level is facing him.
"The last two matches that I have played against him I lost, so I have to adjust a little bit my game and let's see how it's going to be. For sure it's going to be the most difficult match that I'm going to play this year.”
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'Most difficult match of the year' - Alcaraz on facing Sinner next at Indian Wells
In another big match at Indian Wells, Daniil Medvedev overcame Holger Rune - also in straight sets, but in a much less comfortable fashion, 7-5 6-4.
Medvedev has now somewhat surprisingly reached his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final since Rome last May, and he will take on home favourite Tommy Paul in a bid to reach the tournament showpiece.
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