Indian Wells: Jannik Sinner extends his winning streak while a swarm of bees stops the game against Carlos Alcaraz

March 14, 2024

Updated 41 minutes ago

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Sinner defeated Russian Daniil Medvedev to win his first Grand Slam in Melbourne in January

Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner extended his winning streak to 19 games by beating Jiri Lehecka to reach the semi-finals in Indian Wells – before a swarm of bees stopped play.

The Italian Sinner defeated the Czech Lehecka, who is ranked 32nd in the world, 6:3, 6:3.

“He has huge potential, so I was really aware of every argument I had,” said third-seeded Sinner, 22.

Sinner will face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or German Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals.

Play in the quarterfinal game was suspended later Thursday after bees flooded the field.

World number two Alcaraz ran off the pitch as bees buzzed around one of the cameras and gathered under the chair of referee Mohamed Lahyani, who announced: “Ladies and gentlemen, the game is suspended due to a bee invasion.”

The players were tied 1-1 in the first set of a rematch in the Australian Open quarterfinals, which Zverev won.

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Bees swarmed around a high-wire camera in Indian Wells

Elsewhere, 17th-seeded American Tommy Paul held his nerve to beat ninth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 and reach the last four of the California tournament for the first time.

He will face the winner of the game between Russian fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev and seventh-seeded Danish Holger Rune.

World number three Sinner suffered defeat at last year's ATP Tour Finals – where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the final – and has had a perfect start to the 2024 season.

His winning streak includes a breakthrough Grand Slam title in Australia in January and a triumph in Rotterdam last month.

In the windy conditions, Sinner was in good form as he broke at the start of each set and saved the only break point he had against Lehecka, who was playing in his first ATP 1,000 quarterfinal.

“It was really, really windy in the morning,” Sinner said after the win. “The first set was difficult to overcome.

“In a way I'm just happy because I reached the semifinals last year and this year I have the chance to play in the semifinals again in one of the greatest tournaments we have all year.”