Daniil Medvedev continued his rich form as he stunned World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz by 6-3, 7-6(3) in the semifinal of the BNP Paribas Open on Friday. Medvedev admitted he had to be at his absolute best to beat a top player like Alcaraz and was delighted that he was able to attain that level.

With this win, Medveded put paid to Alcaraz’s 16-match winning streak in the ongoing 2026 season. Medvedev was able to break Alcaraz’ serve in the fourth game of the opening set and ticked all the right boxes.

“Playing someone like Carlos, you play many times, you lose many times,” Medvedev said. “He’s an amazing player with amazing shots, defence, attack, return, everything. So, you need to be at your best.”

Medvedev won four of the five break points he faced overall, and converted both chances he created.

“I was hanging in, in the second set, as I could,” Medvedev said. “But [I am] playing great tennis, super happy to beat someone as strong as him.”

The World No.11 is optimistic of his chances of beating Jannik Sinner in the final if he maintains or raises his level.

“If I manage to maintain the level I had throughout the tournament and maybe even raise it, I will have my chances,” he said.

Alcaraz, on the other hand, admitted he has never seen Medvedev play at such a high level in his career.

“I just have to give credit to Daniil. I think he just played an amazing match,” Alcaraz said. “From the start of the match until the end of the match, he was playing unreal, I’ve got to say. I have never seen, to be honest, Daniil playing like this.

“He deserves completely the win today. He deserves completely to get through and play a final here. All I can say is just congratulations to him.”