Meanwhile, Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner powered into the semi-finals .
DEFENDING CHAMPION CARLOS Alcaraz fought off swarming bees and Alexander Zverev on Thursday to set up a semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner at Indian Wells.
Sinner powered into the semi-finals with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Czech Jiri Lehecka pushing his match win streak to 19. Alcaraz said he never imagined his title defense would find him ducking for cover amid a swarm of bees. “For sure the most unusual match I have ever played in my career,” he said, recalling that he noticed the bees after winning a point on serve in the third game.
He can expect a tough challenge against Sinner, who captured his first Grand Slam title in Melbourne and has since lifted the trophy in Rotterdam. Fourth-ranked Daniil Medvedev, runner-up to Alcaraz last year, booked a return trip to the semi-finals with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over seventh-ranked Holger Rune of Denmark.