Theirs seemed like a semifinal already written in Indian Wells: the number 3 against the number 4 in the world.
A re-edition of the last Cincinnati Masters, when Stefanos Tsitsipas had the worst and Alexander Zverev had then come to success, overtaking even Rublev.
But for this year the Greek and the German will no longer tread the Californian concrete.
Nikoloz Basilashvili and Taylor Fritz, both over top 30, eliminated them in the quarterfinals, with the American who had already eliminated Berrettini and Sinner.
Tsitsipas and Zverev are in good company: none of the four semi-finalists were among the top 20 seeded. After Toronto and Cincinnati, the Greek was aiming to reach his third consecutive semifinal in a 1000 in North America, backed by his 54 seasonal victories. Almost to rage, after the defeat in three sets (6-4, 2-6, 6-4) came the statements of the Georgian: "I was not even so happy with my game - said Basilashvili - but I am satisfied with how I managed my stress levels, in the first quarter-final in a tournament of this level and against a tough guy like Stefanos. "
Fritz (39 Atp) against Zverev saved two match points before closing 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 and thus celebrating the first semifinal in a Masters 1000, as well as the second victory against a top 5. " It hurts - the Tokyo Olympic gold medalist admitted - because I knew that after Stefanos' defeat I was the favorite for this tournament. But my tennis wasn't there. " After the match lost against the former US tennis hope, he explained: "It wasn't really my day. I was close to winning but Fritz played a great match, he deserves the semifinal".
Among women, Vika Azarenka will try to clinch her third success at Indian Wells, a record.
The Belarusian, formerly # 1 and today at # 32 WTA, overtook # 29 Jelena Ostapenko (3-6, 6-3, 7-5).
In the final he will face Paula Badosa (n.27), who beat her friend and rival Ons Jabeur with a double 6-3.
"I believe in it, every day I work hard. I think - said the Spaniard - that I am progressing a bit on everything. This is why I am in a final against one of the best in the world."
At least among the women, in the final, there is a former number one.
