Cameron Norrie, US Open 2017, Flushing Meadows, New York
Photo by DaveShopland/BPI/REX/Shutterstock | Cameron Norrie US Open 2017, Flushing Meadows, New York

Cameron Norrie achieves new career high with title in Tiburon

By Glenys Furness

  • Cameron Norrie claims 2nd challenger title.
  • Reaches new career high in ATP singles ranking.
TIBURON, CALIFORNIA, USA – Cameron Norrie claimed his second challenger title, defeating the second seed in the final. The Brit moves to number 135 in rankings marking a new career high

Brit of the Week

Cameron Norrie was the eighth seed at the Tiburon Challenger. In the first round the Brit played Elias Ymer, the Swedish player pushed close in the first set, but it was the seed who got the break just when needed to secure the set. Ymer was not going away though, and hit back in the second set. The Swede managed to break the Brit and draw level by taking the set. The final set was again close, but right at the end Norrie secured the break and took the match 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.

The second round and the Brit was drawn against Mitchell Krueger. The American made a flying start and broke Norrie early in the first set. The seed was not able to pull back level so the set was gone. The Brit however was determined and came out in the next set firing well and broke the American twice to claim the set. The final set and Norrie showed his ranking as he strolled the set for the loss of only two games. 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

In the quarter-final the Brit was drawn against his first seed. The American Michael Mmoh was seeded fourth and fought hard in the first set, staying with Norrie until the very end of the first set when the eighth seed broke. This appeared to destroy the American as Norrie dominated the final set and booked a place in the semi-final 7-5, 6-2

In the semi-final the Brit played Prajnesh Gunneswaran, the Indian was no match for the Brit in the first set. Norrie broke the Indian once but it was all that was needed for the set to be over. The second set was more of the same as the Brit once again dominated to win the match 6-3, 6-2.

The final saw Norrie up against the second seed Tennys Sandgren. The American was the favourite on paper as the higher seed, but no one had told the Brit the plan. The eighth seed continued as he had all event, and was soon in control and up a set. The second set was a little closer, but Norrie was not to be denied and broke the American and then serve out for the match and take the title 6-2, 6-3.

The win has moved Norrie to a new career high in the ATP singles ranking, moving the Brit to number 135 in the world. A continuing good run next week will bring that ranking closer, and move Norrie to within the top 100 and automatic entry for the Grand Slam events.

 

Honourable mention

Tom Farquharson was unseeded and playing the ITF Futures event in Barnstaple. In the first round the Brit was against another non seeded Brit Harry Wendelken. Farquharson had little trouble in the first set and was soon up a set. The second set saw Farquharson take the break needed and moved into the next round 6-2, 6-4.

The second round had another all Brit round with Farquharson taking on Oli Golding. Golding was no match for the other Brit and Farquharson soon had the break needed to take the set. In the second set Farquharson dominated the set and lost only two games to progress into the next round 6-4, 6-2.

The quarter-final and Farquharson was against yet another Brit, Luke Johnson. Once again Farquharson was on fire, so much so that the entire match the Brit only lost one game. Johnson was unable to do much of anything in the match and Farquharson progressed 6-1, 6-0

In the semi-final the Brit was up against his first seeded opponent, and it happened to be the top seed David Guez. The Frenchman looked like he could end the run of the Brit here as he strolled through the first set dropping only two games. The Brit was not going to be denied though and pulled the match back taking the next two sets to make the final 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

The final saw the Brit against the fifth seed Gregoire Barrere, the Frenchman made the first set competitive and it took Farquharson until the end of the set to break. The second set though was much easier for the Brit and he broke Barrere once to take the set and match 7-5, 6-3.

 

Challenger & ITF Round Up

Alex Ward lost in the first round of Tiburon 2-6, 4-6.

Jodie Burrage lost in the semi-final of Sharm El Sheikh to the top seed 0-6, 2-6

Laura Robson lost in the quarter-final in Templeton to Taylor Townsend 1-6, 3-6

Naomi Broady lost in the second round in Templeton 3-6, 6-2, 5-7

 

Next week Brits play in Beijing, Tokyo, Stockton (California) & Colombo