Norrie can with Dimitrov to play the final against Basilashvili

Grigor Dimitrov had a clear chance at Indian Wells to shine again with a major title almost four years after winning the ATP Finals. and finish the 2017 academic year as number three in the world. The top 20 seeds had fallen en route to the semi-finals, three of them at the hands of the Bulgarian himself, Opelka (16), Medvedev (1) and Hurkacz (8). But Cameron Norrie, one of the tennis players in better shape this season, crossed his path (6-3 and 6-4) and he will be the one who plays the final this Sunday (01:00, #Vamos) in the desert of California this Sunday. It will be against the winner of the other tie, Nikoloz Basilashvili, who was able to beat Taylor Fritz (7-6 (5) and 6-3). It is the first time in the history of the Masters 1,000, which started in 1990, that the four semifinalists are outside the top-25 of the ranking., also in the tournament, which celebrates 45 editions. That gives an idea of ​​the future of a tennis in which the Big Three falters. It will be the fourth time a player ranked 26th or worse has triumphed at Indian Wells, after Jim Courier (26th in 1991), Alex Corretja (26th in 2000) and Ivan Ljubicic (26th in 2010).

Norrie is the leader in finals in 2021, with six, the same as Novak Djokovic, although, for now, he has only been able to win in Los Cabos a few weeks ago. He has played them on all surfaces, something that speaks well of his versatility and the improvement he has experienced. He is virtually 17th in the standings and would win a spot if he lifts the trophy. He may be the first British champion in a place that not even Andy Murray himself, a finalist in 2009, could not handle when he fell to Rafa Nadal.

Dimitrov, who had been playing great all week, still can’t raise his head. Unforced errors (28) they weighed him down against a rival who boldly sought the backhand and who was much more successful, with that unorthodox but effective style that he looks. The Bulgarian’s service numbers were very poor (58% of points won with firsts) and he was only able to manufacture two break options and convert one, while he lost the serve four times. You will have to keep trying, but few such good chances will come your way.

Basilashvili from nothing to everything in Indian Wells

He had never won a match in Indian Wells, but this year, Basilashvili has been uncovered in the American tournament and in what way. The Georgian, who emulated the feat of his compatriot Irakli Labadze, semi-finalist in the California desert in 2004 (he fell against Tim Henman), surpassed him and will play the final, eighth of his career and third this year, after Doha and Munich, where he raised two titles. It is undoubtedly the most important of his career and he has earned it hard, after taking down Eubanks, Ramos (against whom he was two points away from losing), Khachanov and Tsitsipas, from less to more. Before Fritz, who came strong after eliminating Berrettini, Sinner and Zverev, he showed that he is in a sweet moment at 29 years old, especially punching.

He plays the shots without fear and with great confidence. He made the American 26 winners. And he defends himself wonderfully (7/7 break points saved). It came as number 36 and is now virtually 27, ahead of Fritz himself, who raised three match points, but this time his resistance was not rewarded, as it did against Zverev. If Nikoloz wins again this Sunday, he will be ranked 18th, very close to 16th, the highest of his career.

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