After 12 days of action at the BNP Paribas Open, Carlos Alcaraz left as the king, defeating Daniil Medvedev to clinch the title and rise to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

Following the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the season, ATPTour.com looks at the movers of the week as of Monday, 20 March 2023.

View Pepperstone ATP Rankings

No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, +1 (Joint Career High)
The 19-year-old has climbed back to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time since January after winning his third ATP Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells. The Spaniard did not drop a set en route to the trophy, becoming the ninth and youngest man to win both legs of the Sunshine Doubles – Indian Wells and Miami – in his career. Alcaraz defeated Medvedev 6-3, 6-2 in the final. Read Indian Wells Final Report & Watch Highlights.

No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, +1
The 27-year-old is back in the Top 5 after he advanced to the final in Indian Wells. Medvedev, who had never been beyond the fourth round in five previous appearances before this year, overcame Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals to extend his winning streak to 19 matches. He was unable to find a way past Alcaraz, who proved too strong in the championship match.

No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime, +4 (Joint Career High)
The Canadian has jumped four spots to No. 6 after reaching the last eight in California. The 22-year-old overcame Pedro Martinez, Francisco Cerundolo and Tommy Paul to advance to his third quarter-final of the year.

No. 11 Jannik Sinner, +2
The Italian continued his impressive start to the season in Indian Wells, where he reached his second ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. The 21-year-old earned statement wins against Stan Wawrinka and Taylor Fritz before falling to the eventual champion in Alcaraz in their fifth ATP H2H meeting. Sinner heads to Miami 16-4 on the year.

No. 14 Frances Tiafoe, +2 (Career High)

Tiafoe has moved to a career-high No. 14 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings after showcasing his dynamic game at the hard-court event. The 25-year-old American did not drop a set en route to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final, defeating Marcos Giron, Jason Kubler, Alejandro Tabilo and Cameron Norrie.

Other Notable Top 100 Movers
No. 9 Hubert Hurkacz, +2 (Joint Career High)
No. 22 Marin Cilic, +2
No. 25 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, +3 (Career High)
No. 43 Jack Draper, +13
No. 44 Jiri Lehecka, +3
No. 45 Brandon Nakashima, +3
No. 52 Andy Murray, +3
No. 68 Nuno Borges, +12 (Career High)
No. 74 Marton Fucsovics, +10
No. 82 Cristian Garin, +15
No. 87 Stan Wawrinka, +13

Carlos Alcaraz was just about perfect during his run to the BNP Paribas Open title. In his Sunday press conference after a dominant 6-3, 6-2 final win against Daniil Medvedev, he said as much when reflecting on his third ATP Masters 1000 trophy and his return to the top of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

“It feels amazing to lift the trophy here, to recover the No. 1 [ranking]. I would say this has been the perfect tournament,” he reflected. “It was good for me, [at] this tournament that I really wanted to win, and for me, it’s amazing.”

Alcaraz was untouchable from start to finish in the desert, never more so than in the title match. He did not lose a set during his run, becoming the first Indian Wells champion to achieve that feat since Roger Federer in 2017, and the first to do so in at least six matches since Rafael Nadal in 2007.

The 19-year-old entered the final with the confidence of a man who reached the final in all three of his 2023 events, including his Buenos Aires title and his eventual Indian Wells triumph. His crystal-clear thinking on the court helped him end Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak in emphatic fashion.

“I have no doubts about my shots,” he said. “I feel really comfortable on court. I really trust in every shot that I hit.

“Of course, that’s why I’m playing a great level, because if I miss, I don’t mind. I don’t care about the miss. I’m just trying to hit 100 per cent in every shot and having no doubts about the shot.”

Alcaraz reached the semi-finals last year in Indian Wells, falling in a three-set classic against countryman Nadal. Asked how he has improved since then, Alcaraz pointed to his poise rather than his game.

“I think my tennis didn’t improve so much since last year,” he explained. “What I improved a lot is to [not] take the pressure, just to play relaxed. That’s for me the most important thing. That’s why I show a great level, because I feel like I have no pressure. I enjoy. I’m playing relaxed. I would say I improved that a lot, and that’s why I’m playing a good level.”

While Alcaraz made it look easy on the court, he showed his human side by revealing that he did feel nerves.

“I try to show that [I’m relaxed], but honestly, I was nervous,” he admitted. “But this is something that I talk [about] with my team, to show the opponent that I’m relaxed, that I’m enjoying the final.

“But of course it’s normal to have nerves and you have to handle that. All the best players in the world in that moment, they handle the nerves really, really well and play such a great level. That’s what I try to do.”

He finished his answer with a smile: “But I was nervous.”

Next up for Alcaraz is a bid to defend his Miami title on the opposite coast of the United States. He will need to retain his South Florida crown to remain atop the Pepperstone ATP Rankings following the year’s second ATP Masters 1000 event.

Nuno Borges has done two things on the ATP Challenger Tour this season: win matches and lift trophies.

On Sunday, the 26-year-old extended his Challenger-match winning streak to 10 by triumphing at the Arizona Tennis Classic. Borges rallied from a set down in the final to defeat qualifier Alexander Shevchenko 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 and win the premiere Challenger 175 event.

“So proud, so happy. I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight,” Borges said. “Honestly I don’t even know what to say, I was in qualies when I first signed up, but got in last minute to the main draw. Really low expectations with having a tough first round right away. Kept fighting every match one at a time.”

After earning his highest-ranked win in the opening round against World No. 38 Diego Schwartzman, Borges built upon his momentum to claim the biggest title of his career. Following his upset victory against the Argentine, Borges then defeated Roman Safiullin, Alexei Popyrin, Jan-Lennard Struff, and Shevchenko to win his fourth Challenger title.

“Somehow I found myself in the final and I finally did it,” Borges said. “I feel like I’m still absorbing it but it’s unbelievable. These last few weeks have been amazing. First Challenger 175 event, it’s a very special place. It motivates me a lot for everything else.”

Nuno Borges celebrates his title at the Arizona Tennis Classic with a pool plunge. Credit: Mary Grace Grabill

The former Mississippi State University standout displayed first-class court coverage and stayed consistent on serve in Sunday’s final, including winning 15 of 21 points off his second delivery. Despite dropping the opening set against Shevchenko, Borges relied on what he believes has been the key to his recent success.

“Trying to problem solve the one match I have ahead of me, not worrying about much else,” Borges said. “Once I’m [in the match], I just leave it all out there.”

Now at a career-high No. 68 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, Borges has won 20 of 22 sets played at the Challenger level this year, including triumphing at last month’s Monterrey Challenger.

Shevchenko, 22, completed a strong week with a finalist finish at the Phoenix Country Club. The qualifier earned victories against Gael Monfils, Marc-Andrea Huesler, Matteo Berrettini and Quentin Halys. On Monday, Shevchenko will rise to a career-high No. 101 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

In other Challenger Tour action Sunday, Hamad Medjedovic defeated Croatian Nino Serdarusic 6-4, 6-3 to win the Kiskut Open in Szekesfehervar, Hungary. The 19-year-old Medjedovic, who climbs to a career-high 192, is the fourth Serbian teenager to win multiple Challenger titles, joining Novak Djokovic (3), Janko Tipsarevic (3), and Miomir Kecmanovic (2).

In Vina del Mar, Chile, Thiago Seyboth Wild defeated Frenchman Hugo Gaston 7-5, 6-1 to win the Vina Challenger Tennis. Seyboth Wild, 23, earned a special exemption after a finalist finish at last week’s Santiago Challenger. The Brazilian has won 11 of his past 12 Challenger-level matches.

Making a splash in Phoenix 🤳💦🏊‍♂️#ATPChallenger | @aztennisclassic | @nunoborges97 pic.twitter.com/BgbclzYfzK

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 20, 2023

After a lopsided defeat like the one Daniil Medvedev suffered Sunday in the BNP Paribas Open final, it can be hard to know whether to laugh or cry. For the fifth seed — who saw his 19-match win streak snapped by Carlos Alcaraz, 6-3, 6-2 in a first Indian Wells title match for both — it’s the former.

“I think this one I will get over pretty quickly,” he said in his post-match press conference, noting his positive mindset after winning three straight titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai. “I managed to make my best result in Indian Wells where before I couldn’t make it to the quarters, and already my second match was a three-setter.

“A lot of positives, for sure. I think this one, I will be forever disappointed that I didn’t win the final, but I can laugh already and whatever, I’m gonna try to win the next one or win this one next year. Looking forward already and, for sure, will not think too much about this one but will discuss it with my coach.”

Medvedev was well below his best, while Alcaraz was firing on all cylinders in the pair’s second ATP Head2Head meeting and first since Wimbledon 2021, when Medvedev cruised to a straight-sets win.

The biggest disappointment for the fifth seed, aside from falling short of a fifth ATP Masters 1000 title, was a missed opportunity to tie his career-long win streak of 20 matches. 

“Damn, one away from my record. That’s actually disappointing,” he said with a smile.

“This would be cool to try to beat it and maybe try to prolong it as long as possible. It’s great to have these streaks,” continued Medvedev, who was bidding to become the first man to win four titles in five weeks since Andy Murray in 2016.

“Really disappointed that it ended, but a lot of confidence from this streak. Because last year, that’s what I was missing, these streaks. I was doing sometimes finals, semis in Cincinnati, kind of playing good but not playing well enough in the semis. I managed to win 19 matches in a row. I’m proud of it, and now it’s time to try to build a new streak. There is no other way in tennis.”

At 27, Medvedev can be considered a veteran of the ATP Tour. As such, he can take heart from his experience on the other end of one-sided results in marquee matchups. He recalled his 6-4, 6-4 win against Novak Djokobvic in the Dubai final earlier this month, a match in which the Serbian could not summon his best level.

Further reflecting on Sunday’s final, Medvedev struggled to diagnose the problems with his game, but he had no issue accepting the result.

“Why didn’t I play my best? I don’t know,” he said. “Maybe it was his ball. Maybe it was the wind. It was pretty windy today, and for him it was easier to go through this wind, and that’s normal. That’s what’s easier to do for him.

“So I have no real reasons, and sometimes in tennis you don’t have them. Disappointed with the result, but the week was amazing. Because Indian Wells, to make final, I’m just super happy and proud… I see only good things, and looking forward to Miami, for sure.”

Carlos Alcaraz completed a dominant run to his maiden BNP Paribas Open title on Sunday with perhaps his most one-sided victory of the tournament, a 6-3, 6-2 stunner against Daniil Medvedev. The 19-year-old Spaniard, who did not lose a set in six Indian Wells matches, will return to World No. 1 in Monday’s Pepperstone ATP Rankings behind his trophy triumph.

“It means a lot to me. To recover the No. 1 [ranking] is crazy for me,” Alcaraz said after wrapping up the win in a rapid one hour, 10 minutes. “But especially to lift the trophy here for me means a lot… I love this tournament. I really enjoy my time here and of course I felt the love from the people from day one. For me, it’s amazing to complete these 10 days like this.”

Now a three-time ATP Masters 1000 champion as the reigning titlist in Miami and Madrid, Alcaraz is the ninth and youngest man to win both legs of the Sunshine Double — Indian Wells and Miami — in his career. He joins countryman Rafael Nadal as the only players to win at least three Masters 1000 titles as a teenager, with Nadal having won six before turning 20.

Medvedev saw his 19-match and three-tournament winning streak come to a close as Alcaraz expertly handled the windy desert conditions, the top seed’s patient but aggressive game plan reaping rewards with an immediate break in both sets. After racing to a 3-0 lead in the opening set, Alcaraz won the first 10 points of the second on the way to a 4-0 advantage.

Alcaraz hit 18 winners to Medvedev’s five and won 10 of 13 net points in an all-action victory. The Spaniard also found success with his patented drop shot time and again, taking advantage of his opponent’s deep court position. 

It was a somewhat puzzling performance on the whole for Medvedev, who played some of his best tennis of the year against Frances Tiafoe in Saturday’s semi-finals.

Alcaraz wrapped up the statement victory without facing a break point to re-establish himself at the pinnacle of the men’s game. In order to maintain his position atop the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Alcaraz must complete the calendar-year Sunshine Double by defending his Miami title over the course of the next two weeks.

“Of course winning a tournament, it gives you a lot of confidence [entering Miami],” the Spaniard said, looking ahead to the year’s second ATP Masters 1000 event. “I’m playing great. Of course today, the conditions today were pretty tough. Of course Daniil didn’t play at his best, obviously. All I can say is I’m really happy with my performance, the way that I [was] playing this tournament. I’m looking forward to playing this level in Miami as well.”

Alcaraz and Medvedev did not meet in 2022 despite both men debuting as World No. 1 and spending 16 weeks atop the Pepperstone ATP Rankings during the year. Their lone previous ATP Head2Head meeting came at Wimbledon in 2021, when Medvedev cruised to a straight-sets win.

By turning the tables for a straight-sets win of his own on Sunday, Alcaraz became the first Indian Wells champion to claim the title without losing a set since Roger Federer in 2017, and the first to do so in at least six matches since Nadal in 2007. With his final victory, he improves to 8-3 in tour-level finals, including 3-0 at ATP Masters 1000, and 14-9 overall against Top 10 opponents.

Medvedev, who was at No. 12 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings as recently as 12 February, will re-enter the Top 5 on Monday after he backed up consecutive titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai with his Indian Wells final run. The 27-year-old was playing in his 19th tour-level final at an unprecedented 19th different event.

Carlos Alcaraz will return to World No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday, but the teen has no time to relax. His spot atop the standings will be at risk during the Miami Open presented by Itau.

Alcaraz will swap places with Novak Djokovic on Monday. However, Alcaraz does must defend his Miami title to stay No. 1 ahead of Djokovic on 3 April.

Pepperstone ATP Rankings (20 March)

At the start of the Miami ATP Masters 1000 event, Djokovic will own a 740-point lead over Alcaraz in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings because the 19-year-old will drop the 1,000 points he earned at the tournament last year.

If the Spaniard wins the title, he will continue adding to his total number of weeks at World No. 1, which will reach 22 over the course of the Miami Open presented by Itau.

At only 19, Alcaraz is guaranteed to spend more time at World No. 1 than Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Thomas Muster, Marcelo Rios, Carlos Moya and Patrick Rafter combined (21 weeks).

Individually, Alcaraz has also spent more time as No. 1 than the man he defeated in the BNP Paribas Open final, Daniil Medvedev (16), Andy Roddick (13), Boris Becker (12), Marat Safin (9), John Newcombe (8) and his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero (8).

The battle for World No. 1 between at least Alcaraz and Djokovic will not slow down any time soon. Both men are defending almost exactly the same number of points during the clay-court season.

Djokovic is defending 1,880 points compared to 1,870 for Alcaraz. Both reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros and claimed a Masters 1000 crown during the swing.

Carlos Alcaraz’s bid to return to World No. 1 collides with Daniil Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak on Sunday in a blockbuster final at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. (Watch the final from 12am CET/7pm ET)

The pair may be first-time finalists at the opening ATP Masters 1000 event of the year, but their respective runs to this year’s championship match can hardly be considered a surprise.

After the start of his season was delayed until February due to injury, Alcaraz has racked up a 13-1 record for 2023 and is yet to drop a set in Indian Wells. If the 19-year-old defeats Medvedev, he will leapfrog Novak Djokovic to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time since January. A major motivation, but not one that will distract the Spaniard from the job at hand.

“I know if I win tomorrow I’m going to become the No. 1, [but] I will try not to think about that,” said the top-seeded Alcaraz after he defeated Jannik Sinner in straight sets in Saturday’s semi-finals. “[I will] just think about the things that I have to do. I would say it is going to be a really tactical match against Daniil… I have to make everything perfect. That’s all I’m going to think [about] tomorrow.”

Medvedev will rise one spot to No. 5 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings regardless of the result on Sunday and the 27-year-old has been the dominant force on Tour for the past month. He has notched 19 straight victories across four tournaments on three different continents, lifted titles in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai, and is now one win away from becoming the first player to claim four tour-level titles in five weeks since Andy Murray in 2016.

“Once you win, you never want to stop,” said four-time Masters 1000 champion Medvedev on Saturday. “No matter which record I broke or made even, or [being] the first one since 2016 to go in four finals, I just want to win tomorrow.”

Medvedev may be tempted to turn to his 1-0 ATP Head2Head series lead against the Spaniard for confidence ahead of his first Masters 1000 final since the 2021 Rolex Paris Masters. Yet the fifth seed acknowledges that the present-day Alcaraz is a completely different prospect to the 18-year-old he defeated in straight-sets at Wimbledon in 2021.

“It counts in our head-to-head and it has to count, that’s how tennis works,” said Medvedev after his semi-final victory against Frances Tiafoe. “I also have my matches which I lost when I was not at the top, but he was definitely not the same player [in 2021] that he is right now.”

“Right now is totally different,” concurred two-time Masters 1000 titlist and 2022 Indian Wells semi-finalist Alcaraz. “I’m an experienced guy, or at least I’m more experienced than that match. I know how to play against him. I practised with him a few times, as well, so is not new thing for me right now. So it’s going to be, I think, a totally different match.”

Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak has been powered by his trademark attributes: precise serving and relentless hitting from the baseline. Alcaraz’s ability to penetrate those defences with his blistering groundstrokes will be crucial to deciding the outcome of Sunday’s final.

“He’s a wall. He returns every ball, impossible shots,” said Alcaraz. “I talked with my team that the returns [against him] are almost in the corner of the court and [he is] still winning the points… I probably [have to] hit my best shots to hit winners against him.”

Alcaraz’s all-around attributes raise the possibility that the Spaniard will deploy serve-and-volley tactics to capitalise on Medvedev’s renowned deep return position. Tiafoe used the tactic to good effect in Saturday’s semi-final, and Medvedev is prepared for more of the same from Alcaraz.

“It’s just an opportunity they have, and that’s always for sure the question to me if they start doing it, do I advance my position?” said Medvedev. “Sometimes I do, sometimes not… So I give this opportunity, and then I try to kind of use it to my advantage to try to pass them. At the same time I know that if my return is a little bit somewhere off, there is a big chance they just go open court.”

Having never previously been past the fourth round in Indian Wells, Medvedev found a way to reach the final despite rolling his ankle against Alexander Zverev in the fourth round and cutting open his right thumb against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the quarter-finals. Yet the World No. 2 and two-time Masters 1000 champion Alcaraz represents his biggest challenge yet.

“He has amazing skills which are tough to compare to everyone,” said Medvedev. “Once he hits through the forehand, it’s amazing to watch. I don’t think there is anyone who can hit this strong and also with topspin.

“That’s why he was No. 1 in the world, the youngest No. 1 in history. That means something. It’s going to be great and fun to play against him.”

Alexander Shevchenko and Nuno Borges have been enjoying a sizzling start to the season on the ATP Challenger Tour. Now, they will put their hot streaks on the line when they clash in Sunday’s championship match at the 2023 Phoenix Challenger.

Because of rain earlier this week, Saturday’s action at the Arizona Tennis Classic featured quarter-final matches in the morning and the semi-finals after suitable rest. Shevchenko, who advanced through qualifying, won back-to-back three setters, including against top seed Matteo Berrettini, to advance to his second Challenger final of the season. Borges, 26, extended his Challenger-level winning streak to nine.

Because of rain earlier this week, Saturday’s action at the Arizona Tennis Classic featured quarter-final matches in the morning and the semi-finals after suitable rest.

The 22-year-old Shevchenko started the day by ousting World No. 23 Berrettini 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. A few hours later, Shevchenko returned to Centre Court and rallied from a set down to defeat Quentin Halys 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3.

“It’s been an absolute unreal day,” Shevchenko said. “First starting against Matteo and then winning in tough three sets is absolutely something ridiculous. I never imagined I could do it and now I did. I’m shocked about it.”

Against the Frenchman Halys, Shevchenko was down 0-2 in the final set and fended off two break points to avoid going down a double break. The Arizona crowd quickly got behind the qualifier to help bring him across the finish line. Despite cramping late in the deciding set, Shevchenko rallied to continue his dream week.

Earlier this year, Shevchenko claimed his second Challenger Tour title when he triumphed at the Tenerife Challenger-1. Boasting a 9-3 Challenger-level season record, Shevchenko stated that he’s seeing his hard work beginning to pay off.

“I got a lot of matches last year and I was just a rookie on the Challenger Tour,” Shevchenko said. “This year I started how I expected and I knew as time goes on, I’m going to be better and better and it’s showing up right now.”

A jam-packed crowd enjoys Saturday’s action at the Challenger 175 event in Phoenix. Credit: Mary Grace Grabill

Shevchenko is coached by Gunter Bresnik, who has worked with prominent players such as Boris Becker, Patrick McEnroe, Dominic Thiem, and Gael Monfils.

Should Shevchenko defeat Borges to claim the Phoenix Challenger 175 title, he will crack the Top 100 for the first time.

“I expect a tough battle,” Shevchenko said. “I need to recover as fast as possible because I am cramping. But Nuno is a really good player, inside the Top 100, and he’s had really good wins here.”

Portuguese No. 1 Borges defeated Australian Alexei Popyrin in a three-set quarter-final before taking out Jan-Lennard Struff in the final four. The former Mississippi State University standout needed just one hour, seven minutes to down German qualifier Struff 6-4, 6-2.

“Great day out there for me, surprised myself honestly” Borges said. “I knew it was going to be a long and tough day. But I played great, especially in the semi-finals. I’m really proud of myself and can’t wait for the final.”

Borges, who is at a career-high 78 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, claimed last month’s Monterrey Challenger and is riding a nine-match winning streak at the Challenger level.

“The start of the year has been quite amazing,” Borges said. “The last few weeks have been really positive. Started in Mexico and I’ve been on a streak you could say. I’ve been enjoying being on tour and playing these tournaments and nice places.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s final, Borges knows that his work will be cut out for him.

“Shevchenko has been on a roll, I’ve seen him around a lot but we haven’t played each other,” Borges said. “I’m expecting big things from him and I’m hoping I’m up for the challenge. It’s been a great tournament for him and for me. Let’s enjoy the final and do our best.”

In Phoenix doubles action, Australian Open finalists Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski advanced to the final after defeating Roberto Carballes Baena and Pedro Martinez 6-4, 6-2.

Nys and Zielinksi will next meet American duo Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow, who downed Julian Cash and Henry Patten 6-7(7), 6-4, 10-4 in Saturday’s semi-final.

All to play for in Arizona 🌵🏆🇺🇸

Shevchenko 🆚 @nunoborges97 incoming!#ATPChallenger | @aztennisclassic pic.twitter.com/8mqVmTQkdY

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 19, 2023