Norrie overcomes Basilashvili to punctuate amazing year with BNP Paribas Open title
Cameron Norrie comes back from a set down to beat Nikoloz Basilashvili in three and capture the Indian Wells title on Sunday. Norrie is now just one spot away from being in Nitto ATP Finals qualification position.
Cameron Norrie (GBR) holds the championship trophy after defeating Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) in the men’s final in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic
WTA 2021 BNP Paribas Open | Draw | Order of Play
Cameron Norrie was already enjoying by far his best season on tour heading into the BNP Paribas Open. Now it has suddenly become all the more incredible, to the extent that he is very much in Nitto ATP Finals contention with one month to play.
Norrie battled back from a set and a break down to beat Nikoloz Basilashvili 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the Indian Wells final on Sunday afternoon. The Brit climbs from No. 26 to No. 15 in the ATP rankings, triumphed after one hour and 49 minutes. He’s the first British man ever to win the title in Indian Wells and he’s now closing in on a place in the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.
Basilashvili comes out swinging, Norrie responds
Also playing in his first Masters 1000 final, Basilashvili started strong by breaking his opponent twice in the opening set. The world No 36 served out the set to love at 5-3 and then seemingly took control of the match with another break for 2-1 in the second.
Perhaps seeing the finish line, Basilashvili began to get tight and the unforced errors started to flow. The 29-year-old gave back the break right away for 2-2 and was eventually broken to love while serving to stay in the set at 4-5.
With momentum finally in hand, Norrie was not about to let it slip away. The No 21 seed won the first three games of the third set and also the last three, allowing Basilashvli to hold only once at 0-3. Even then, the Georgian had to fight off a break point before holding. Norrie held easily at 5-1 to clinch victory, securing his first championship when Basilashvili erred with a long forehand.
“It means so much to me,” the 26-year-old assured. “It’s my biggest title. I’m so happy. It’s absolutely massive for me and my team. I can’t really believe it; if you had told me that I would win the tournament before the tournament started, I wouldn’t have believed you.”
Norrie is now 47-20 this season and is up to No. 10 in the race to Turin. He is effectively in ninth position because Rafael Nadal is out for the year due to a foot injury. Hubert Hurkacz leads Norrie by 115 points for the final spot.
