As it happened: Cameron Norrie defeats Grigor Dimitrov in ATP Indian Wells Masters semi-final

ByPaul Hassall

Updated 16/10/2021 at 22:18 GMT

There will be a new British No 1 next week after Cameron Norrie followed up his crushing win over Diego Schwartzman by seeing off Grigor Dimitrov to reach the Indian Wells final in quite spectacular fashion to continue what has been an incredible year for the journeyman.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! - NORRIE 6-2 6-4 DIMITROV

How about that! Norrie shows no nerves at all as he serves out the match to love to reach his maiden Masters 1000 final. He will now meet either Taylor Fritz or Nikoloz Basilashvili in Sunday’s showpiece clash.

NORRIE 6-2 5-4 DIMITROV

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A double fault gives Norrie an early glimmer but Dimitrov isn’t in as charitable mood now and rampages back to give himself one last shot at a recovery. Norrie will now serve for a spot in the final. No pressure, Cam!

NORRIE 6-2 5-3 DIMITROV

It’s tense stuff but once again Cam comes up with all the answers in the tricky moments. He edges the hold from 30-30 and is now just one game away from the final.

NORRIE 6-2 4-3 DIMITROV

That’s as good a service game as he’s had, but is that too late for Dimi? He surges through a love hold but will need to strike soon if he’s to claim another comeback win.

NORRIE 6-2 4-2 DIMITROV

Thou shalt not pass! Cam ups the ante from 0-30 and stays ice cool at deuce to stay on course with a rasping forehand winner up the line.

NORRIE 6-2 3-2 DIMITROV

It’s not easy but this time Dimitrov shows greater resistance to stay in touch with a hold from deuce. He’s no stranger to comebacks from desperate situations here, but you sense it’ll all be about Norrie from here and whether he can keep his cool with such a big opportunity edging close.

NORRIE 6-2 3-1 DIMITROV

Dimi crouches to the floor in dismay and frustration as he sweeps a forehand just long to allow Norrie to escape from break point down.

NORRIE 6-2 2-1 DIMITROV

That is much-needed. Dimitrov digs out a hold to stay in contention but he needs to come up with a Plan B here and Norrie is looking so assured.

NORRIE 6-2 2-0 DIMITROV

There’s no let up and no look-in for Dimitrov. He battles back from 40-0 down but can’t carve out a chance from deuce and Norrie comes through to consolidate.

BREAK! - NORRIE 6-2 1-0 DIMITROV

That could be very significant. Dimitrov fights hard to fend off three break points but can’t give himself something to work with as he succumbs on the fourth. Norrie looks to be full steam ahead for the final at this juncture.

SET! - NORRIE 6-2 DIMITROV

Too good. Norrie rampages through a 32-minute opening set as he ruthlessly serves it out to love.

BREAK! - NORRIE 5-2 DIMITROV

It’s a break-a-thon! Dimi works hard from 0-30 but leaks two needless and poorly timed errors to allow Norrie to regain the double break. The Brit will now serve for the set.

BREAK! - NORRIE 4-2 DIMITROV

That’s one back! Cam throws in a shocker with a trio of unforced errors and Dimitrov breaks to love to maintain an interest in this opening set.

NORRIE 4-1 DIMITROV

Dimi belatedly gets on the board with a hold to 15, switching things up nicely with a smart serve and volley tactic early on to seize the initiative.

NORRIE 4-0 DIMITROV

This is one-way traffic so far, but you only have to ask Daniil Medvedev of the dangers Dimitrov can pose when he hits form from a losing position. This set is looking beyond the 2017 ATP Tour finals winner right now though as another loose error allows Norrie to back up the double break to 30.

BREAK! - NORRIE 3-0 DIMITROV

Wow! This is wonderful from Norrie. Once again Dimi starts too slowly and has to play catch up from 0-30. The Bulgarian then sizzles a forehand just long to cough up another break point before a tight slice into the net leaves him in all sorts of trouble.

NORRIE 2-0 DIMITROV

Confidence is oozing out of Norrie right now. He rattles through a hold to 15 to consolidate with aplomb.

BREAK! - NORRIE 1-0 DIMITROV

What a start for Cam! He appears to have let his opportunity slip as Grigor turns 0-30 around the snare game point. The Brit digs in for deuce and corks a forehand up the line before luring a sliced error from his opponent to grab an instant break.

H2H

Norrie leads the match-up 1-0 having beaten Dimitrov in straight sets in round two at the Miami Masters back in March.

Welcome, welcome

Welcome to our live updates of Britain's Cameron Norrie's huge semi-final against Grigor Dimitrov at the ATP Indian Wells Masters.

Norrie’s run to the last four has put him in contention to make the season-ending ATP Finals.

He is currently in 12th place in the standings, 765 points behind Hubert Hurkacz, who currently holds the last qualifying spot. But if Norrie wins the title he will only be 125 points behind Hurkacz.

Norrie's incredible year

Norrie hailed the “biggest win” of his career after beating Diego Schwartzman to reach the semi-finals.

Norrie, who is set to become the new British No 1 after the tournament, eased past the world No 15 in just 73 minutes.

The win continues a hugely impressive season for Norrie and should secure him enough ranking points to break into the world's top 20 for the first time in his career.

“It was such a big moment for me playing my first Masters 1,000 quarter-final, especially against Diego,” said Norrie.

"I thought I was in for an absolute battle. It's probably the biggest win of my career. I'm really happy with the way I handled everything.”

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Norrie raced through the first set and never let up as he completed an impressive 6-0 6-2 win against a below-par Schwartzman.

"With Diego you have to be careful. He snuck through a couple of matches already this tournament. I had to keep my foot down and was able to get that second break and relax and play some great tennis," added Norrie.

Asked about overtaking Dan Evans to become British No 1, Norrie said: “It was never really a goal of mine, but it’s definitely a great bonus to be British No 1.

“I want to keep pushing. I think I’ve got a lot of things to improve on, but I think it’s one of those things you’ve got to enjoy.

“Yeah, it’s nice to show some of the hard work from Facu [coach Facundo Lugones] and I that have been putting in over the last kind of five years after college. It’s showing, and it’s been a lot of fun.

“I’m just really pleased to be playing my best level at these bigger events. I’m just enjoying the process and enjoying playing the bigger matches. There is always going to be a bigger match and a bigger opportunity. I was just happy with how I handled myself in terms of the situation.”

Dimitrov 'not surprised' by Norrie form

Norrie will next face Grigor Dimitrov after he followed up his shock win over top seed Daniil Medvedev with victory over Hurkacz.

“I am definitely not surprised to see Cameron Norrie in the semi-finals,” said Dimitrov.

“He has been playing great, very good matches. He is a very dangerous opponent and very crafty. It is not going to be an easy match my end. I am trying to get back to a good rhythm of tennis and living and being pain free with my body. Waking up and feeling my body is there gives me confidence. I am really enjoying my everyday life.”

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