Cameron Norrie vs Nikoloz Basilashvili Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Indian Wells

Prediction published on 17/10/2021, 11:20  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 17/10/2021 at 12:21 in Tennis Predictions

A first-time winner of the Indian Wells men's singles will be crowned on Sunday night. It's also the first Masters final played between two players not ranked in the top 25 in the world. 21st seeded Cameron Norrie is up against Nikoloz Basilashvili,who is the 29th seed. Not one of the top 20 seeds made it to the semi-finals so it's been a tournament of shocks. Cameron Norrie is bidding to win his second title of the year and this is his second successive final. Overall, Norrie is in his fifth final of the year and is now the British number one. He started the year ranked 71st but is up to 17th in the live rankings. Beating Basilashvili would see him rise to 16th. It'd also take him up to 10th in the race to Turin and the Tour Finals (technically ninth as Nadal is out injured). The Brit has had wins over  Tennys Sandgren, 15th seeded Roberto Bautista Agut and Tommy Paul (the last two being three-setters). His quarter final saw him beat 11th seeded Diego Schwartzmann for the loss of two games. He then beat Grigor Dimitrov (seeded 23rd) for the loss of six games, so he's in top form.

Nikoloz Basilashvili was the world number 36 when this tournament began. His live ranking is now 27th and he'll go up to 18th if beating Norrie. Winning this title would be his third tournament victory of the year. He's won titles in Doha and Munich but hadn't been in the best of form over recent months with just two quarter final appearances in seven tournaments. He's certainly bounced back to form at Indian Wells though. Wins have come against  Christopher Eubanks, Albert Ramos Vinolas (losing the first set) and then a straight sets win over Karen Khachanov before beating second seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last eight. The semi-final saw Basilashvili defeat Taylor Fritz in straight sets. The pair have only had one previous meeting and Norrie will want a repeat of that result. He beat Basilashvili in Rotterdam this year, winning 6-0 6-3. Norrie is in great form at present and he can win this final.