Georgia’s top tennis player Basilashvili to play in ATP Masters 1000 finale
Nikoloz Basilashvili will face his British rival Cameron Norrie in the final game later today. Photo: BNP Paribas Open/Twitter
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Georgia’s top tennis player Nikoloz Basilashvili is one win away from the biggest title of his career after his defeat of American rival Taylor Fritz in the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals yesterday.
The global governing body of men’s professional tennis ATP has tweeted:
An incredible comeback from ???????? @nikolozbasilash!
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 16, 2021
He saves three set points & takes the opener 7-6(5) against Fritz. #BNPPO21 pic.twitter.com/BNGofmTEfz
Basilashvili, 29, is the first Georgian to reach the ATP Masters 1000 final. ATP says the Georgian ‘had suffered five first-round losses from six appearances at Masters 1000 level this year’.
The first ???????? to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final ????
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 17, 2021
????: @TennisTV | @nikolozbasilash | #BNPPO21pic.twitter.com/AQljlIlsjx
Basilashvili said this victory means a lot for him.
To get through so many matches is very important. I’m at the top of my game now and feeling the best”, he said.
Noting that it was his first time in a Masters 1000 semi-final, Basilashvili said he was 'a little bit tight'.
I just tried to get rid of [the tension] as much as I could because if I just focus on my game I can play good tennis", he noted
His best week ever keeps getting better ????@nikolozbasilash defeats Fritz 7-6(5), 6-3 for a maiden ATP Masters 1000 final.#BNPPO21 pic.twitter.com/dSwrbAkYKv
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 17, 2021
ATP reported as well that Fritz ‘acknowledged that Basilashvili’s power made it difficult for him to convert his break chances’.
His backhand, he definitely hits harder than anybody on tour. The way that it comes through the court so hard and flat and deep, nothing you can really do”, Fritz said.
Georgia's No. 1 tennis player will face British Cameron Norrie in the final game.
A new ATP Masters 1000 champion will be crowned in the desert ????
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 17, 2021
Will it be @cam_norrie or @nikolozbasilash? #BNPPO21 pic.twitter.com/hinKLoEnFW
Basilashvili, who has won five ATP Tour titles, was charged with domestic violence over a year ago. Although he was released on a 100,000 GEL (about $32,500/€27,600) bail, the investigation on the case is still underway. However, Basilashvili denies the charges.