World No.26, Cameroon Norrie defeated world's no. 29 Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgial 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to clinch the BNP Paribas Open Title at Indian Wells. He became the first man tennis player ranked outside top-25 to win this title after Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia who won the title in 2010.
Norrie, the first British man to win the title at Indian wells, had not won any match in his 2 previous main draw appearance before this year. Now he is leaving Indian Wells on a career high ATP ranking of 16.
Norrie, after the win, said that he was uncomfortable and it was tough for him to get confident at the start because it was windy and Basilashvili had gone through with so many winners.
Also read| Norrie sets up Indian Wells final against Basilashvili
Norrie added that Basilashvili had been blasting the winners so when he made a couple of big shots at 5-4 in the second set that gave him a lot of confidence.
"I was able to find my feet and start moving again. I made the rallies physical like I'd been doing all tournament and it worked in my favour," added
Norrie.
"I've been really enjoying my tennis and been enjoying being out on court and competing in the big moments," Norrie said.
"I'm just really pleased with how I handled the occasion. I think I'm doing a lot better with that this year. I lost a lot of those finals, so it's nice to get the big one today," he said.
It was Norrie's second title this season. He has appeared in six finals so far.
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