Semifinal Awards: Rybakina’s Masterclass Over Swiatek, Alcaraz and Medvedev Shine

With semifinal action at the BNP Paribas Open complete and the the men’s and women’s finals set, we took a look back at some of the standout performances from Friday and Saturday. Check em out! ⬇️

Most Dramatic Set

🏅 [5] Daniil Medvedev d. [14] Frances Tiafoe, 7-5, 7-6(4) — Second Set 

Seven match points were saved by Tiafoe, who was rushing the net with a reckless abandon. There were four breaks of serve, tons of crazy points, and the energy of the crowd in Stadium 1 was peaking.

SEVEN match point saves and a whole lotta drama 😨

Reliving the crazy ending to Medvedev vs Tiafoe at #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/6EoLJ3A9hU

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 18, 2023

Most Fashionable Fan

🏅The Leprechaun Below

Gotta give it to this fan who was in the spirit on St. Patrick’s day.

🍀 Top of the morning to ye! 🍀#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/OizgQ0t2na

— wta (@WTA) March 17, 2023

Statement Match

🏅 [10] Elena Rybakina d. [1] Iga Swiatek – 6-2, 6-2

Backing up a 6-4, 6-4 upset of the World No.1 at the Australian Open with a 6-2, 6-2 takedown at Indian Wells? We’re all paying attention now, Elena Rybakina…

Another straight sets win over the World No.1 in 2023 👏

Elena Rybakina drops 4 games to Swiatek, knocking out the defending champion!#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/53AtdT6Mdd

— wta (@WTA) March 18, 2023

Most Electrifying Forehand

🏅Jannik Sinner 

Watch the Italian hit the century mark with this inside out rope.

💯mph winner ☄️#TennisParadise | @janniksin pic.twitter.com/Ci2gmXkvEk

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 18, 2023

Biggest Crowd Pleaser

🏅 Frances Tiafoe

Tiafoe didn’t get the win but he took the decibel level in Stadium 1 through the roof with this amazing point to begin the second-set tiebreaker with Daniil Medvedev on Saturday.

Welcome to the Frances Tiafoe Show 🎩 😍@FTiafoe #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/qPNuNBdKz9

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 18, 2023

Best Celebrity Sighting

🏅 Pink 

Always nice to have some pop royalty in the house.

Raise Your Glass if you love tennis 🍸

🎾 @Pink #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/Y4ZQ24Tk3Z

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 18, 2023

Most Insane lob (and point)

You never know when lightning might strike with this talented young phenom, but you always know it will…

🏅 Carlos Alcaraz

CARLOS ALCARAZ IS NOT HUMAN 🤯🤯@carlosalcaraz #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/MbuXPu1HlL

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 19, 2023

Quote of the Semis

🏅 Elena Rybakina

Elena Rybakina is riding a busload of confidence into Sunday’s final with Aryna Sabalenka.

“When I play like this good and everything goes in – because today some moments I played, I would say, on my highest level – there are moments where you can feel, ‘Okay, I can beat anyone if I always play like this.'”