Cameron Norrie acknowledged that he was under pressure against Grigor Dimitrov, but he was pleased with his performance.
Norrie, seeded No. 21, defeated Dimitrov, seeded No. 23, 6-2, 6-4, to reach his first Masters final in Indian Wells.
Cameron Norrie got out to a good start in the match, breaking Dimitrov three times and only dropping his service once on his way to a comfortable first-round victory.
Norrie then broke Dimitrov in the first game of the second set and held his serve the rest of the way to take the match in straight sets.
“It was the biggest match of my career, following on from yesterday, which was the biggest match,” Norrie said, per the ATP website.
“There was even more pressure today. I came out and played really physical.
“Grigor was maybe a little tired from the other matches, but he fought hard and made it physical at the start of the second set, which wasn’t easy.”
Norrie is in his sixth season final
“I’ve been playing a lot of big matches this year, which has helped. I feel like I am used to the big moments and the big matches,” Norrie said.
“I’m feeling more and more comfortable and I feel like I am playing on my terms in key moments.”
Coach Facundo Lugones noted before the semifinal against Dimitrov that Norrie’s opponents know they’re in for a “hard day” when they play the Briton.
“They know if they’re playing him they’re in for a long day,” said Lugones.
“When you’re against a guy who shows up every single day, a lot of players are not ready for that. They know they have to dig deep to beat him.
“He has the ability to play every single point and not take one point off.
“That takes people to a place mentally and physically where it is uncomfortable and not easy to perform, and then they start playing worse”.
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