Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner claimed the title at the Indian Wells Open on Sunday, defeating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets after two closely contested tiebreaks.
The world number one secured the victory on the hard courts of Indian Wells Tennis Garden with a 7–6, 7–6 win, marking his first tournament triumph of the 2026 season.
Both sets were tightly fought, with long baseline rallies and few opportunities to break serve. The opening set lasted almost an hour, with Sinner missing two break points in the seventh game before eventually taking the tiebreak on his second set point.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Medvedev, who has shown signs of a return to top form after dropping out of the top 10 earlier in the year, raced to a 4–0 lead in the tiebreak. Sinner, however, mounted a comeback to close it out 7–4 and seal the match.
The victory was an important response for the 24-year-old from Sesto Pusteria after a difficult start to the season, with disappointing results earlier in the year at the Australian Open and the Qatar Open.
During the post-match ceremony, Sinner dedicated the win to Italian Formula One driver Kimi Antonelli, whom he praised as a rising figure in Italian sport. Writing “Bravo Kimi” on the courtside camera after the match, Sinner later expanded on the tribute in his victory speech.
“It’s a day of celebration for Italy,” he said. “I’m a huge Formula 1 fan, and to have a very young Italian like Kimi Antonelli leading Italy to the top is truly exciting.”
