Indian Wells: Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz through to final
Daniil Medvedev needed eight match points to beat Frances Tiafoe and reach the Indian Wells final for the first time.
Russian world number six Medvedev held off a late rally to defeat the American 7-5 7-6 (7-4) in California and claim a 19th successive win.
Medvedev will play 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Italian Jannik Sinner 7-6 (7-4) 6-3, in Sunday's final.
Spaniard Alcaraz will return to world number one if he lifts the title.
Medvedev arrived at Indian Wells in fine form having won back-to-back ATP titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai.
It took until the 11th game of the first set for Medvedev to get the vital break of serve despite relentless play from the baseline.
He broke in the opening game, but after a spirited Tiafoe saved three match points and Medvedev was twice broken while serving for the match.
World number 16 Tiafoe battled back from 5-1 down in the tie-break to 5-4, but Medvedev scrambled over the line, serving out the win with an ace.
"It was crazy at the end," said the former world number one. "I got super tight.
"The ace was a relief. I'm just really happy that I managed not to lose this match."
If Medvedev beats Alcaraz he will become the first man since Britain's Andy Murray in 2016 to win four titles in five weeks.
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