Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev and Tommy Paul will meet in the men’s singles semifinals of the Indian Wells tennis tournament.
The reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz cleared his way to the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters tennis tournament in the United States after defeating the sixth seed Alexander Zverev directly in two sets 6–3, 6–1 the night before Friday Finnish time.
Alcaraz’s place in the semifinals was lost after some special stages, as the meeting of the tennis stars was interrupted for almost two hours due to a swarm of bees. The Pärrians appeared in the tennis arena during the first set.
The referee stopped the match at 1-1, and Alcaraz fled to the players’ tunnel, hurrying the bees.
Part of the stand was also emptied, after which the beekeeper Lance Davis Vacuum the winged insects gathered near the camera. The problem seemed to be solved, but when Alcaraz returned to the field, he was once again harassed by bees.
The beekeeper was called in again, and finally the match was able to continue with Davis spraying insecticide in the direction of the scoreboard. Davis received a rapturous reception from the audience, threw high-fives and posed for photos.
– At this time of the year, this area can be a real hive of bees when the flowers bloom. In addition, low-frequency sound waves can attract them, the organizers stated in their announcement.
Alcaraz, who is second on the world list, said that after the game continued, he was able to stay away from the insects and do what was necessary for victory.
– That was the strangest tennis match I’ve ever played. At first I saw a few bees, but then I looked up at the sky and thousands of them were flying and attacking me. It was crazy, I tried to stay away from them but it was impossible, Alcaraz told the BBC.
– I’m a little afraid of bees. I had to stay safe and ran around.
In Saturday’s semifinal, Alcaraz will face Italy, who are on a 19-match unbeaten streak Jannik Sinner. They will play in the second semi-final Daniil Medvedev and Tommy Paul.
In the women’s singles semifinals Iga Swiatek encounter Marta Kostyukin and Coco Gauff Maria Sakkarin. Defeated Swiatek in quarterfinals Caroline Wozniacki just a little before the bee-interrupted match.
– Absolutely crazy. There were no bees at all half an hour ago. I would have run away for sure, Swiatek commented at the press conference after his match.
Finland Emil Ruusuvuori was eliminated from the men’s singles tournament in the first round when he lost to Serbia Dusan to Lajovic 0–2.