Taylor Fritz vs Nikoloz Basilashvili Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Indian Wells

Prediction published on 16/10/2021, 12:13  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 16/10/2021 at 13:40 in Tennis Predictions

There are often shocks in a men's singles tournament but not usually on this scale. Not one of the top 20 seeds has made it to the semi-finals at Indian Wells. Not one of them is in the top 25 rankings and we've never seen a final four like this in an ATP 1000 tournament. Taylor Fritz is seeded 31st and takes on Nikoloz Basilashvili, who is two places above him. The winner takes on either 21st seed Cameron Norrie or the 23rd seeded Grigor Dimitrov. Fritz was the world number 39 at the start of this tournament and is up to 30th in the live rankings (one behind his opponent). This is his fifth semi-final of the year but by far the most prestigious. He's beaten Brandon Nakashima, fifth seeded Matteo Berrettini, Jannik Sinner (seeded 10th) and then in the quarter finals, third seeded Alexander Zverev, after losing the first set.

Nikoloz Basilashvili began this event in 36th place. He's bidding to win a third title of the year, having had wins in Doha and Munich, the latter on clay. He's had his ups and downs this year with a couple of poor runs of form. Before Indian Wells, he'd reached two quarter finals in his last seven tournaments. He's back in form this week though with victories over  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. These two players have had three previous meetings and Fritz leads 2-1. They have met twice this year with Basilashvili winning on his way to taking the Doha tournament and most recently, a win for Fritz in Dubai. Two of the three meetings have gone to three sets. Fritz will have the home support and he looks in the form to get a win here.