Hard courts continue to be the foundation of Sinner’s success. Of his 24 ATP titles so far, 21 have come on the surface, and his performance against Zverev once again demonstrated his control in baseline exchanges and efficiency on serve. The Italian required just one hour and 23 minutes to complete the victory.
Rivalry with Medvedev has shaped Sinner’s game
Sinner will face Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final, renewing a rivalry that has played an important role in his development on the ATP Tour. The Italian explained that competing against the Russian earlier in his career forced him to rethink aspects of his game and adjust his tactical approach.
According to Sinner, Medvedev’s style — particularly his defensive positioning and deep returning — required him to modify his shot selection and develop greater patience during rallies. These adjustments have gradually become part of the Italian’s broader tactical evolution. “If it’s Daniil, it’s a very similar scenario because he has been, in the past, a player who made me improve a lot. I had to change also my game style.”
Medvedev arrives in the final in strong form after winning the ATP 500 title in Dubai earlier in the season and continuing his consistent performances in Indian Wells. Sinner acknowledged that the Russian’s level has returned to one of the highest on tour.
“He’s back to a very, very high level. Very big serve, I feel like. He’s returning very well, very, very deep. Everyone is trying to be slightly more aggressive. I think Daniil has found again a good balance on court, winning a title in Dubai and coming here making again great results.”
Unique Indian Wells conditions shape the final
Sinner also highlighted the particular challenges of playing in Indian Wells, where the surface behaves differently from many other hard-court events on the ATP Tour. The courts in the California desert are known for producing a higher bounce, forcing players to adjust their positioning during rallies.
The Italian explained that managing court position and adapting to the speed differences between new and used balls can be decisive factors throughout the tournament. “The ball is very bouncy. With new balls it’s quite fast, and with used balls it’s a little bit slower. It’s quite a position game at some point where you try to stand on court, and I think this is a bit the main key here on this surface.”
Despite the tactical complexities, Sinner emphasised that his main objective is to maintain his level and produce an entertaining final for the spectators. “In any case, whoever is going to be my opponent in the final is going to be a very, very tough match. The most important part is that it’s a good match for the people to watch.”