(Tennis news) In men’s singles, Cameron Norrie continued his breakthrough year by reaching his first Masters 1000 semi final at Indian Wells. Cameron beat Diego Schwartzman for the third consecutive time and for the first time beat the Argentine in straight sets. The first set saw Cameron bageling Schwartzman as in the second set Schwartzman finally won his first game of the match as he could only win one more when the match got over. Cameron defeated Schwartzman 6-0, 6-2.
Grigor Dimitrov continued his breathtaking run by beating Hubert Hurkacz in a three set physically enduring match. It was vintage Dimitrov from the start as Hubert rallied to take the first set but from then on it was the Bulgarian who stretched, ran and volleyed to beat Hubert. Although Hubert also played well, he couldn't beat the man in form as Dimitrov will now face Cameron for a place in the final. Dimitrov defeated Hubert 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).
In women’s singles, Ons Jabeur created history as she secured a top ten ranking after her quarterfinal victory over Anett Kontaveit. Jabeur is the first Arab tennis player to enter the top tennis rankings and also made into the semifinals of a WTA 1000 event for the first time. Jabeur’s backhand drop shot was the major show in her match against Kontaveit as she kept using it and it kept working. Jabeur defeated Kontaveit 7-5, 6-3.
Paul Badosa advanced to the semifinals with a tough earned victory over Angelique Kerber. In the first set, both players held their serve until Badosa broke Kerber’s serve in the final game to take the set. In the second set, Badosa gained an early lead as Kerber was trailing 2-5 but took the next three games to make it 5 all and even saved two match points in the sixth game. Badosa finally won the match on her third match point as Kerber hit a forehand long to end her run at Indian Wells. Badosa defeated Kerber 6-4, 7-5.
In men’s doubles, Andrey Rublev and Aslan Karatsev beat Rohan Bopanna and Denis Shapovalov to reach their first semifinal at a Masters 1000 event. Rublev and Karatsev 6-4, 6-4. Marcelo Melo and Ivan Dodig beat Lorenzo Sonego and Fabio Fognini in one of the best matches of the tournament this time. Fognini volleys were a death sentence to Marcelo as it hit him two times in the match. Marcelo and Ivan defeated Lorenzo and Fabio 6-3, 4-6, 10-8.
In women’s doubles, Veronika Kudermetova and Elena Rybakina entered the finals of the event by beating Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jeļena Ostapenko in straight sets. Veronika and Elena defeated Lyudmyla and Jelena 6-4, 6-3.
In a battle of second and third seeds, it turned out to be a short affair as Elise Mertens and Hsieh Su-wei defeated third seeds Ena Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama in a match that got over before the 1 hour mark. The second seeds bageled Ena and Shuko in the second set to head to the final as favourites. Elise and Hsieh defeated Ena and Shuko 6-2, 6-0.
Also read: Grigor Dimitrov takes out top seed Daniil Medvedev at Indian Wells
