Carlos Alcaraz sets up Daniil Medvedev Indian Wells semi-final, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina advance
The Straits Times
Alcaraz improves his record to 16-0 to start the season with a solid display. Read more at straitstimes.com.
INDIAN WELLS – World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz charged past Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday to set up an Indian Wells semi-final against Daniil Medvedev, after the Russian ended defending champion Jack Draper's run 6-1, 7-5.
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka also reached the last four in the women's draw with a 7-6 (7-0), 6-4 win over Victoria Mboko, but Iga Swiatek was unable to find her way past Elina Svitolina and fell 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
Alcaraz improved his record to 16-0 to start the season with a solid display and remained on course for a third Indian Wells crown. He was briefly in trouble at 0-2 down in the second set but quickly regained the momentum to see off Briton Norrie.
"It was really difficult, I struggled with Cameron's style," he said.
"I was trying to play my best but there was a little bit of confusion. His forehand has super top-spin and his backhands are very flat, so sometimes it's tricky to play against him and find the correct shots.
"But I played solid and aggressive when I could. I'm happy to be at this level."
March 15 - Toko Koga scored twice as Japan stayed on course for a third Women's Asian Cup title with a 7-0 win over the Philippines in Sydney on Sunday, setting up a semi-final against South Korea. Read more at straitstimes.com.
March 15 - The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reprimanded Pakistan batter Salman Agha for his reaction to a controversial run-out in the second One-Day International against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
INDIAN WELLS, California, March 15 - Daniil Medvedev said his Indian Wells semi-final win over Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday would prove nothing more than a temporary setback for the Spaniard, and that he and Jannik Sinner were playing at a totally different level from the rest of the tour. Read more at straitstimes.com.
PARIS, March 15 - France head coach Fabien Galthie hailed Louis Bielle-Biarrey as a “lethal weapon” following in the footsteps of Antoine Dupont after the winger’s four-try masterclass helped secure a dramatic Six Nations title-clinching victory over England on Saturday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - All who wander up and down the leaderboard are not lost. Read more at straitstimes.com.
People feared for the safety of seven delegation members after they refused to sing Iran's national anthem. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The fourth-placed Lakers are currently on a four-game winning streak. Read more at straitstimes.com.
March 14 - The U.S. and Israel's conflict with Iran has led to sporting events being postponed in the region, while competitions elsewhere have been hit by travel disruption, with thousands of flights cancelled in some of the world's busiest transit hubs. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The 52-year-old sits atop the leaderboard with Joaquin Niemann heading into the final round. Read more at straitstimes.com.
March 14 - World number one Aryna Sabalenka said players must halt points straightaway to seek a video review for hindrance and not wait to decide, after Daniil Medvedev's dispute with Jack Draper sparked controversy at Indian Wells. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Victory also ensured their direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Read more at straitstimes.com.
March 13 - Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina moved into the Indian Wells final with straight-sets victories over Linda Noskova and Elina Svitolina on Friday, setting up a rematch of their Australian Open Grand Slam title clash. Read more at straitstimes.com.
March 14 - Australia coach Joe Montemurro said Friday's 2-1 victory over North Korea had given them the belief to go on and win the Women's Asian Cup for the first time in 16 years after securing their place at next year's World Cup. Read more at straitstimes.com.