World No. 2 Jannik Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4) to secure his first Indian Wells crown. Sinner showcased resilience, rallying from a 4-0 deficit in the second-set tiebreak by winning seven straight points.
The Italian star extended his dominance over Medvedev, claiming victory in nine of their last ten encounters. Medvedev had earlier eliminated top seed Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals, handing him his first loss of the year.
Sinner expressed joy not only for his own success but also for fellow Italian Kimi Antonelli, who won the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix the same day. “It has been a special day for Italy,” Sinner said, highlighting his passion for Formula One and celebrating Antonelli’s achievement.
In the women’s final, Aryna Sabalenka overcame Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) to clinch her first Indian Wells title. Sabalenka sealed the victory with a powerful serve that Rybakina failed to return. The win marked redemption for Sabalenka, who had finished runner-up in 2023 and 2025.
Both champions added significant milestones to their careers, with Sinner reinforcing his rise in men’s tennis and Sabalenka solidifying her dominance in the women’s game. Their victories made Indian Wells 2026 a historic edition for tennis fans worldwide.
