After his titles in Marseille and Dubai, Andrey Rublev (7th) added a thirteenth consecutive victory on Friday, this one against Grigor Dimitrov (35th), to reach the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Masters 1000. He will face the American Taylor Fritz (20th), winner in three sets of the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic (7-6 [5]3-6, 6-1).
Despite some signs of annoyance, the Russian has built up such confidence in recent weeks that helped him maintain a cool head at the end of the first set after his serve was shut out on serve for the round at 5-4, then when, again in front at 6-5, he had to get four set points (including three in a row) before finally concluding with an ace.
Dimitrov finally let go
It was a decisive moment for the outcome of this match, long pleasant with this opposition of style between the shimmering game of the Bulgarian and that much rougher of the Russian, before Dimitrov ended up letting go very quickly in the second set sometimes giving feel like I quit playing.
Much more consistent, more powerful, more intense, effective in return, relying on a simple tactic by working his opponent on the backhand and decisive in service (81% of points won behind his first ball), Rublev, who has still not lost a single set, ended the match by taking Dimitrov’s service four times. A great performance in Indian Wells where the Bulgarian, semi-finalist here last year, had only given up his commitment this year since the start of the tournament.