Jakarta (ANTARA) – Cameron Norrie surprised with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over Nikoloz Basilashvili to become the first Briton to win an ATP title at Indian Wells.
Norrie had 47 victories of the season, his best career record, and became the first English player to win the Indian Wells trophy, something Andy Murray, Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski had failed to do before. .
Indian Wells became Norrie’s second title in his sixth ATP Final of the season after winning his first crown earlier this year in Los Cabos.
The victory would also propel him into the world top 20 for the first time in his career, overtaking Daniel Evans to become England’s new number one.
“I’m very happy, this is my biggest title,” said Norrie.
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Even if he only touches one ace and do two double fault, but Norrie dominated 77% of his first serve points and played better in the crucial moments than Basilashvili.
“It’s been a great week. I expected it to be a long game and he made a few mistakes at the end,” said Norrie.
Murray reached the final in 2009, but was beaten by Spaniard Rafael Nadal. Previously, Henman had also reached the final twice in 2002 and 2004, but lost in straight sets to Roger Federer 6-3, 6-3. The Briton of Canadian origin Rusedski was a finalist in 1998.
Norrie was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and raised in New Zealand before becoming the American College Player of the Year at Texas Christian University. He has represented England for eight years.
Basilashvili, 29, is aiming for his third title of the season. Unfortunately, the Georgian didn’t play well against Norrie. His game was different from the quarter-finals, where he beat second-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece.
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Basilashvili also admitted to having health issues which drained his energy in the final set, but declined to go into details.
“It was a very close game. I had some health issues in the third set. I tried to get out and catch my breath but couldn’t recover. I have nothing left,” said Basilashvili, who left the field after the fifth game. of the third set to go to the bathroom.
Basilashvili, the son of a former Georgia National Ballet dancer, won just 56% of his first serve and 59% of his second serve in the hour-and-49-minute match.
Basilashvili won the last five games of the first set to score 6-3. However, Norrie fought back in the second set with a 6-4 victory.
Norrie won three games in the third set, but Basilashvili won the fourth in six minutes to close the gap to 3-1. Unfortunately, the victory was the last for Basilashvili, who went on to lose in the last three games.
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Reporter: Arindra Meodia
Editor: Rr. Cornée Khairany
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