Dimitrov beat top seed Medvedev in 3 sets at Indian Wells

Grigor Dimitrov defeated top seed Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday, expanding the parade of upsets that have knocked out several top players.

Medvedev’s defeat left the combined ATP and WTA tournaments without the top two men’s and women’s seeds. Karolina Pliskova lost in the third round. No. 2 Inga Swietec was knocked out in the fourth round.

Dimitrov rallied from a set and double break down to upset US Open champion Medvedev, chasing his fifth title of the year. 23rd seed Dimitrov scored his first win over a top-2 player since 2016 when he defeated Andy Murray in Miami.

No. 2 Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Alex de Minaur 6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-2, and No. 3 Alexander Zverev defeated No. 14 Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-3.

Dimitrov reached the quarter-finals of Indian Wells for the first time. He will face number eight Hubert Harkaz, who defeated 19th seed Asian Karatsev 6-1, 6-3.

Dimitrov said, ‘I always wanted to do well here.

“I felt like I’ve had so many chances throughout the year. I’ve lost so many close matches, match by match point and everything. I was very determined.” Medvedev took control from the start, connecting on 80% of his first serve in the opening set. Russia took a 4–1 lead in the second set before Dimitrov began to turn the match in front of a sparse crowd.

“He definitely flipped the switch,” Medvedev said.

“If he plays like he started 4-1, he’s going to win the tournament.” Dimitrov went on to play five straight games to take the second set and even the match. The Bulgarian charged the net and closed the match on Medvedev’s forehand which went on for a long time.

“He’s the guy who’s playing the best out of everyone and is always looking for a way out,” Dimitrov said.

“It was a great, great match for me to win. But that’s not the end. It’s just another match at the same time. I have to keep my focus and see what’s ahead of me and move on.” “

Medvedev fell 18-2 in North America in his last five appearances. He won in Toronto, reached the semifinals in Cincinnati, won the US Open and then helped Team Europe defeat Team World at the Laver Cup in Boston. He is 50-11 in matches this year, and is rethinking his plans to play in his hometown of Moscow next week.

“I really want to, but yes, I need to take care of my body,” said Medvedev.

“I felt tired this tournament.”

In the women’s quarterfinals, former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka defeated American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-2. 2016 tournament champion Azarenka will now face 24th seed Jelena Ostapenko.

2017 French Open champion Ostapenko defeated Shelby Rogers 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on the American’s 29th birthday.

“I feel like my tennis is getting better, more consistent,” Ostapenko said.

Attendance at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden is limited to 60% capacity due to the coronavirus pandemic, which forced the tournament to fall from its usual March date on the calendar.

Also reaching the quarterfinals were No. 11 Diego Schwartzman, No. 21 Cameron Nori, No. 29 Nikoloz Basilashvili and American Taylor Fritz.

Schwartzman defeated sixth seed Casper Roode 6-3, 6-3. Norrie ended American Tommy Paul’s hopes with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 victory. Basilashvili defeated Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-6 (6).

Fritz, who grew up in the Los Angeles area and often competed in tournaments as a youth player, defeated No. 10 Jannik Sinner 6–4, 6–3.

“It’s good to put it together this week,” Fritz said.