Cameron Norrie, US Open 2017
Photo by Mike Frey/BPI/REX/Shutterstock | Cameron Norrie, US Open 2017

Indian wells battle of the qualifiers as Norrie faces Daniel in the main draw

By Ros Satar, in Indian Wells

  • Cameron Norrie [Q] v Taro Daniel [Q]
  • Daniel leads head to head 1-0
INDIAN WELLS, USA – Cameron Norrie continues to back up his great Davis Cup performance, by earning his first Masters main draw match-up against fellow qualifier Taro Daniel.

 

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Cameron Norrie [Q] v Taro Daniel [Q] | H2H: Daniel leads 1-0

Now in the position of British No. 3, Cameron NorrieΒ is proving in spades that his performance at the Davis Cup tie immediately after the Australian Open was no flash in the pan.Β After winning back to back ATP Challenger Tour finals towards the end of last year, a lot was expected from Norrie in Australian Open qualifying, but suffered an early exit in round two.

His clay court win over Roberto Bautista Agut after barely touching the stuff in his career excited British tennis fans, and along with Kyle Edmund, it looks as though Britain’s tennis legacy post-Andy Murray is looking a lot more assured.

But enough with the future – in his first Masters main draw, Norrie draws fellow qualifier Taro Daniel. The pair have met once on the Challenger circuit with Daniel taking the honours in albeit a close two setter.

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Norrie is coming into this with a lot of match-time on court, with qualifying runs into the main draw in the last three tournaments, including the BNP Paribas open at Indian Wells.Β Daniel’s year has taken a similar path, with qualifying runs into the main draw in Acapulco and here, so the question will be whether fatigue will catch up with Norrie, or he will have added just a little more experience to his arsenal to challenge for a win.

Norrie has the ability to do a little of everything, and can mix up his game quite effectively, as we saw against Spain in the Davis Cup, and his improvements to his forehand are beginning to pay dividends. The mixture of a little bit of everything, coupled with a solid, grounded attitude make him a formidable foe, and against a fellow qualifier, he should feel he has every chance of scooping some lucrative Masters points.

Daniel will take the time to construct his points and is also pretty solid off the ground. With not really that many ranking positions (six, to be exact) separating them, this could be a hard tough affair.

Prediction: Norrie in three sets.
Norrie and Daniel are scheduled on Stadium 9, not before 2pm (10pm GMT)

Main Image:Β Photo by Mike Frey/BPI/REX/Shutterstock

 

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