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Alcaraz defeats Medvedev to defend his Indian Wells title. Swiatek beats Sakkari for women's title

Alcaraz defeats Medvedev to defend his Indian Wells title. Swiatek beats Sakkari for women's title

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 17 - 5:56 p.m.  |  Save Story

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev for the second straight year in the BNP Paribas Open final. The Spaniard won his first title since taking Wimbledon last year. Alcaraz is the first man to defend at Indian Wells since Novak Djokovic won three in a row from 2014-16. Iga Swiatek beat Maria Sakkari in just over an hour to win the women's title. Swiatek lost just 21 games in six matches during the 12-day tournament. Swiatek earned her 20th match win of the year, which leads the WTA Tour. It was a repeat of the 2022 final, in which Swiatek also beat Sakkari.
Alcaraz rallies after 3-hour rain delay to reach Indian Wells final. He'll play Medvedev for title.

Alcaraz rallies after 3-hour rain delay to reach Indian Wells final. He'll play Medvedev for title.

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 16 - 10:57 p.m.  |  Save Story

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 to end the Italian's 19-match winning streak and advance to the BNP Paribas Open final. Alcaraz retained his world No. 2 ranking with the victory and extended his winning streak to 11 matches at Indian Wells, where he'll play Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's title match. The first semifinal was delayed 3 hours and 4 minutes because of rain. Alcaraz changed his tactics after losing the first set and started coming to the net more and moving Sinner up and back. Medvedev outlasted American Tommy Paul, 1-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2 to reach the final for the second straight year.
Novak Djokovic withdraws from the Miami Open

Novak Djokovic withdraws from the Miami Open

The Associated Press  |  Posted March 16 - 8:21 a.m.  |  Save Story

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic will skip the Miami Open, saying less than a week after a surprise loss at Indian Wells that he needs to balance his "private and professional schedule." Djokovic's announcement Saturday on his social media accounts follows his 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 defeat to unheralded Luca Nardi on Monday in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open. The 36-year-old Djokovic is a six-time champion in Miami. The hardcourt tournament begins next week.
Sakkari outlasts Gauff in 3 sets of rain-delayed semi at Indian Wells. She plays Swiatek for title.

Sakkari outlasts Gauff in 3 sets of rain-delayed semi at Indian Wells. She plays Swiatek for title.

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 16 - 12:33 a.m.  |  Save Story

Maria Sakkari outlasted Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 after blowing three match points in the second set of their rain-delayed semifinal at the BNP Paribas Open. Sakkari advanced to Sunday's final against top-ranked Iga Swiatek. She routed Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 6-2, 6-1 in the other semi. Swiatek has beaten Sakkari in three of their five meetings. There were delays of 20 minutes and two hours in the Sakkari-Gauff match. An hour and 10 minutes after holding three match points, Sakkari earned her fourth with a forehand winner. She closed out the match on Gauff's forehand error.
Bees cause a buzz and lengthy disruption at Indian Wells tennis during Alcaraz vs Zverev match

Bees cause a buzz and lengthy disruption at Indian Wells tennis during Alcaraz vs Zverev match

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 15 - 10:16 a.m.  |  Save Story

A swarm of bees forced a nearly two-hour disruption to the quarterfinal match between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev at the BNP Paribas Open. The match was suspended 19 minutes in with Alcaraz serving tied at 1-1. Alcaraz eventually won 6-3, 6-1. Dozens of bees attached themselves to the overhead spider camera that traverses the court and a man without any protective covering used a vacuum to clean them off. Alcaraz swatted at the bees buzzing around him before running for cover. A worker without protective covering used a vacuum to clean the bees off an overhead camera and then sprayed the seating area and walls of the court.
Alcaraz survives bee swarm to buzz Zverev. Sinner goes to 16-0 to reach Indian Wells semifinals

Alcaraz survives bee swarm to buzz Zverev. Sinner goes to 16-0 to reach Indian Wells semifinals

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 15 - 8:33 a.m.  |  Save Story

Carlos Alcaraz survived a swam of bees and beat Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-1 to reach the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open. The bees caused a nearly two-hour delay while a worker vacuumed the pests off an overhead camera and sprayed around the seats and courtside walls. Jannik Sinner beat Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-3 and is now 16-0 this year. Sinner's streak includes the Australian Open title he won in January. He's won 21 of his last 22 sets. On the women's side, top-ranked Iga Swiatek advanced to the semifinals for the third straight year when Caroline Wozniacki retired with a foot issue.
Sports on TV for Friday, Mar. 15

Sports on TV for Friday, Mar. 15

The Associated Press  |  Posted March 14 - 8:00 a.m.  |  Save Story

(All times Eastern)
Navarro beats Sabalenka in 3 sets, Gauff advances to quarters on her birthday at Indian Wells

Navarro beats Sabalenka in 3 sets, Gauff advances to quarters on her birthday at Indian Wells

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 13 - 9:51 p.m.  |  Save Story

Emma Navarro beat second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open for the biggest win of the young American's career. Navarro improved to 18-5 this year, and her wins lead the WTA Tour. She is 11-2 in three-set matches. Coco Gauff celebrated her 20th birthday with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Elise Mertens to reach the quarterfinals at Indian Wells for the second straight year. Mertens knocked off Naomi Osaka in the third round, but the Belgian never got going against Gauff. On the men's side, fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev defeated 13th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals.
Carlos Alcaraz advances to quarterfinals at Indian Wells. Jannik Sinner wins 18th straight match

Carlos Alcaraz advances to quarterfinals at Indian Wells. Jannik Sinner wins 18th straight match

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 12 - 10:56 p.m.  |  Save Story

Second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz avenged a previous loss to Fabian Marozsan, winning 6-3, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open. A day after "lucky loser" Luca Nardi stunned No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the third round at Indian Wells, Alcaraz advanced easily over the Hungarian who ousted him from the Italian Open in May. Alcaraz, the defending champion at Indian Wells, dropped the first set in his opening match this year but has lost just 12 games in the other six sets. Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner also advanced, beating Ben Shelton for his 18th consecutive victory.
French Open tennis fans must have their tickets stored on a Roland Garros phone app

French Open tennis fans must have their tickets stored on a Roland Garros phone app

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 12 - 8:42 a.m.  |  Save Story

The French tennis federation says fans hoping to get tickets for this year's French Open will only be able to buy them using an official application on their phones. All fans attending the clay-court tournament must be equipped with a Roland Garros-named app on their phones where the tickets will be stored. There will be no more paper tickets. The FFT says this initiative will reduce the time spent queuing. The Court Suzanne Lenglen will also have a retractable roof this year to enable play during bad weather.
Luca Nardi stuns boyhood idol and top-ranked Novak Djokovic with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win at Indian Wells

Luca Nardi stuns boyhood idol and top-ranked Novak Djokovic with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win at Indian Wells

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 11 - 11:36 p.m.  |  Save Story

Luca Nardi used a combination of poise and power to stun his boyhood idol and top-seed Novak Djokovic with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win on Monday night in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open. Setting the tone early with his hard-hitting shots, the 20-year-old from Italy frustrated Djokovic all evening. Nardi, who's ranked No. 123, closed out his huge upset over the No. 1 player in the world with an ace. He dropped his racket and brought his hands to his face almost in disbelief before greeting Djokovic at the net. Coco Gauff gave herself an early birthday present by beating Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 7-6 (5) in the third round at Indian Wells. Gauff turns 20 on Wednesday.
Top-ranked Swiatek wins rematch with Noskova at Indian Wells after losing to her at Australian Open

Top-ranked Swiatek wins rematch with Noskova at Indian Wells after losing to her at Australian Open

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 11 - 12:37 a.m.  |  Save Story

Iga Swiatek avenged her Australian Open ouster at the hands of Linda Noskova, defeating the Czech teenager 6-4, 6-0 in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open. Swiatek advances to the round of 16, where the top-ranked Polish star will face Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan. Putintseva defeated Madison Keys 6-4, 6-1, part of a tough start to the day for American singles players. Francis Tiafoe also lost in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3 to Stefanos Tsitsipas. Second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz and third-seeded Jannik Sinner each advanced in straight sets in the men's draw, but fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev lost to No. 32 seed Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic wins in return to Indian Wells after 5-year absence; Coco Gauff rallies to avoid early exit

Djokovic wins in return to Indian Wells after 5-year absence; Coco Gauff rallies to avoid early exit

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 9 - 11:51 p.m.  |  Save Story

rallying just in time to avoid an early exit by edging Clara Burel 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4). The U.S. Open women's champion trailed 4-0 and then 5-2 in the third set.
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek moves on at Indian Wells with easy win over Danielle Collins

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek moves on at Indian Wells with easy win over Danielle Collins

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 8 - 10:54 p.m.  |  Save Story

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek moved on at the BNP Paribas Open with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over power-hitting Danielle Collins. Swiatek improved to 15-2 this season and earned her fifth straight win over the 30-year-old Collins, who previously announced that she intends to retire after the season. Swiatek also beat Collins in three sets at this year's Australian Open. Elsewhere in the women's draw, Angelique Kerber beat Jelena Ostapenko in three sets in a matchup of Grand Slam champions. On the men's side, Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner cruised past Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 6-0.
Sports on TV for Mar. 11 - Mar. 17

Sports on TV for Mar. 11 - Mar. 17

The Associated Press  |  Posted March 8 - 8:00 a.m.  |  Save Story

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Venus Williams loses at Indian Wells in her first match since the US Open. Naomi Osaka advances

Venus Williams loses at Indian Wells in her first match since the US Open. Naomi Osaka advances

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 7 - 11:03 p.m.  |  Save Story

Venus Williams has played a match on tour for the first time in about six months. The 43-year-old owner of seven Grand Slam titles gave away the lead and the last 10 games in a 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 loss to qualifier Nao Hibino at the BNP Paribas Open. Thursday was Williams' first competition since a first-round exit at the U.S. Open on Aug. 29. When the defeat ended with Williams getting broken for the seventh time in 12 service games, she walked to the net to congratulate Hibino, then left the court with a smile and a wave as much of the sparse crowd stood to applaud. Thursday's winners included Naomi Osaka.
Simona Halep will return to action at the Miami Open after appealing her doping suspension

Simona Halep will return to action at the Miami Open after appealing her doping suspension

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 7 - 2:19 p.m.  |  Save Story

Simona Halep will return to tennis at the Miami Open this month after winning her appeal of a doping suspension and having the penalty reduced from four years to nine months. The two-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 player posted a thank you to the tournament via social media on Thursday on social media. Halep is a 32-year-old from Romania. She is allowed to resume her tennis career thanks to the decision in her favor announced Tuesday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. She tested positive for a banned drug at the 2022 U.S. Open and has not competed on tour since then.
Andy Murray wins his opening match at what is expected to be his last Indian Wells. Nadal is out

Andy Murray wins his opening match at what is expected to be his last Indian Wells. Nadal is out

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 6 - 10:37 p.m.  |  Save Story

Andy Murray has started what is expected to be his final appearance at Indian Wells with a smooth performance and a straightforward victory. Murray beat David Goffin 6-3, 6-2 on Day 1 in the desert Wednesday. The biggest news of the tournament happened off the court as Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal. Murray is a three-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1-ranked player now at No. 61. He never faced a break point while grabbing a trio of Goffin's service games. The 36-year-old from Scotland with an artificial hip to improve to 8-0 against Goffin, including taking all 17 sets they've played against each other.
Rafael Nadal withdraws from Indian Wells. It would have been his first tournament since January

Rafael Nadal withdraws from Indian Wells. It would have been his first tournament since January

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 6 - 8:06 p.m.  |  Save Story

and he has not been on tour since. He was scheduled to face Milos Raonic on Thursday.
Sports on TV for Mar. 11 - Mar. 17

Sports on TV for Mar. 11 - Mar. 17

The Associated Press  |  Posted March 6 - 8:00 a.m.  |  Save Story

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