Alcaraz beaten in Miami Open semi-final thriller as Djokovic returns to world No 1

Carlos Alcaraz's hopes of achieving the 'sunshine double' ended in the Miami Open semi-finals on Friday after the Spanish top seed lost a thrilling semi-final to Jannik Sinner as Novak Djokovic returned to world No 1.

Defending champion Alcaraz won the Indian Wells Masters last week to reclaim the top ranking but the Spaniard needed to retain his Miami title to remain top spot. However, he was stopped in his tracks by Italian 10th seed Sinner, who emerged victorious 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 at the Hard Rock Stadium to set up a final showdown with Russia's Daniil Medvedev.

Medvedev, who won three straight titles in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai, reached his fifth straight ATP Tour final with a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 win over fellow Russian Karen Khachanov.

The disappointment for the 19-year-old Alcaraz, who struggled with a hamstring injury at the start of the season, will be tinged with frustration after he struggled in the third set with leg cramps.

It had been an enthralling and entertaining power-hitting performance from both men in the first set, won by the Spaniard after a tie-break, but an inspired Sinner fought back in the second.

Sinner broke in the first game and although Alcaraz broke back to make it 2-2, the 21-year-old Italian sensed his moment was arriving and showed confidence in his powerful groundstrokes.

Sinner broke again to go 5-4 up and then held for the set to end Alcaraz's streak of 21 winning sets.

The world No 1 was moving with difficulty and was broken on his first serve in the deciding set. Looking in discomfort, he crouched down on his baseline in between points and shot some worried and confused looks to his team in the stands.

Sinner lost his focus for a while, his blistering shots replaced by some conservative