Alcaraz beaten in Miami Open semi-final thriller as Djokovic returns to world No 1

Jannik Sinner to face Daniil Medvedev in final after beating Spanish top seed 6-7, 6-4, 6-2

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz greet each other at the net after their semi-final match at the Miami Open. EPA

Carlos Alcaraz's hopes of achieving the 'sunshine double' ended in the Miami Open semi-finals on Friday after the Spanish top seed lost a thrilling semi-final to Jannik Sinner as Novak Djokovic returned to world No 1.

Defending champion Alcaraz won the Indian Wells Masters last week to reclaim the top ranking but the Spaniard needed to retain his Miami title to remain top spot. However, he was stopped in his tracks by Italian 10th seed Sinner, who emerged victorious 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 at the Hard Rock Stadium to set up a final showdown with Russia's Daniil Medvedev.

Medvedev, who won three straight titles in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai, reached his fifth straight ATP Tour final with a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 win over fellow Russian Karen Khachanov.

The disappointment for the 19-year-old Alcaraz, who struggled with a hamstring injury at the start of the season, will be tinged with frustration after he struggled in the third set with leg cramps.

It had been an enthralling and entertaining power-hitting performance from both men in the first set, won by the Spaniard after a tie-break, but an inspired Sinner fought back in the second.

Sinner broke in the first game and although Alcaraz broke back to make it 2-2, the 21-year-old Italian sensed his moment was arriving and showed confidence in his powerful groundstrokes.

Sinner broke again to go 5-4 up and then held for the set to end Alcaraz's streak of 21 winning sets.

The world No 1 was moving with difficulty and was broken on his first serve in the deciding set. Looking in discomfort, he crouched down on his baseline in between points and shot some worried and confused looks to his team in the stands.

Sinner lost his focus for a while, his blistering shots replaced by some conservative strokes but he soon regained focus as he ran out the winner in three hours.

Medvedev wins 'tough match'

The 27-year-old Medvedev, playing against his boyhood friend, survived a second-set comeback but his trademark precision stroke play saw him through against the big-serving Khachanov in a high quality encounter.

The contest saw a series of long rallies as Medvedev fended off Khachanov's thumping shots from the baseline and then pinned his opponent back on his service game.

Medvedev hit 13 aces and saved four of six break points as the match turned decisively in his favor when he broke Khachanov in the fourth game of the third set.

Medvedev won 82 per cent (14 of 17) of his first-serve points in the final set and was relieved to have beaten a player who knows his game so well.

"In my opinion, it was a top match," Medvedev said. "In the first set when we lost our serves, it was just a good game from the returner.

"In the second set, I had one bad game and he won the set. I had one break point, I could have done better. He had a break point in the first game of the third set, I managed to play well. He had one bad game in the third set, I managed to take it and I am really happy to be through. It was a very tough match."

While aware that a very tough test awaits in the final, the Russian said he was capable of beating any player on the tour.

"I have to believe in myself. I know I am capable of winning big titles. I know I can play well and beat anybody," Medvedev said.

Khachanov said he had played at his best and felt he was a little unfortunate to end up on the losing side.

"To be honest with you, I think it was really one of the greatest matches, I felt from the beginning 'til the end in terms of level, in terms of speed, intensity, attitude, everything," he said.