‘Surprised? Not really ‘: Confident Basilashvili reaches the Indian Wells semi-finals

October 15 (Reuters) -Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili stunned the world’s third-best Stefanos Tsitsipas in Indian Wells on Friday 6-4 2-6 6-4 to reach his first-ever Masters 1000 semi-final — surprisingly perhaps all but himself.

Basilashvili, in 36th place, was a clear understatement against the French Open finalist, but was able to support his defense by sending a Greek pack, saving six break points after picking up a pair of ATP championships in Qatar and the Bavarian Championships earlier this year.

“Surprised? Not really,” Basilashvili said. “Overall in the game, from the starting position, I also feel really good physically, I play well, I know the ball really well. Again, if I master this kind of serving well, I can keep playing well.”

He referred to his first service as a significant point of recent improvement – calling him a “big minus” – after he had fired five aces throughout the match on Friday.

But while winning the top five players would be the highlight of the year for many players, Basilashvili said his win over Roger Federer in March was a bigger achievement in his mind.

“Winning against Roger meant a lot to me because he was my idol. He’s like everyone, you know,” he said. “I would say Roger’s victory was very important in my career. Winning Stefanos today was also a really important match.”

Basilashvili is a group of dark horse racers who make it to the semifinals of the California tournament. British Cameron Norrie, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov and American Taylor Fritz each shocked the quarter’s higher opponents.

He will next face Fritz, who won Olympic champion and world fourth Alexander Zverev on Friday.

“I just have to stay calm. Try to focus on my own service. Stay stable from the starting position. And then just, yeah, play the game. You know, finally the game is and we’ll see. I hope I can play well tomorrow,” he said.

Reported by Amy Tennery in New York, edited by Rosalba O’Brien

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