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

Tennis | ATP Auckland | Norrie makes first quarter-final of 2019 where he faces Fritz

By Ros Satar

  • Cameron Norrie [WC] v Taylor Fritz
  • First Meeting
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – Fresh from his Hopman Cup debut, a match-fit Cameron Norrie makes his first ATP quarter-final of the year at the ASB Classic.

 

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Cameron Norrie [WC] v Taylor Fritz | First Meeting

Who says Hopman Cup is a waste of time? Cameron Norrie comes into Auckland as a wildcard as the Brit with a very discernible Kiwi twang has made his mark. Playing against a lacklustre Benoit Paire in the opening round was perhaps not a great test of his mettle.

His victory over Joao Sousa was a lot more competitive, and it was a sound match to come through, as he sets himself up against Next Gen’s Taylor Fritz. For a while the American was touted as their next best thing.

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Fritz’s heavy serving will test aspects of Norrie’s game – his own serve is competent and functional but might not be as much of a dependent weapon. Fritz is pretty solid off both wings but has a deftness for cross-court angles off both wings, as well as a handy lob.

Norrie has impressed at the start of the year and has already been up against some of the ATP rising stars, with some impressive wins on his side – none of the expectation has been on him, and he seems to thrive and play freely in that role, so Fritz may not put him away quite as quickly as the ranking might suggest.

Add a “virtual” home crowd in Auckland and Norrie might just snag a fourth ATP semi-final in his repertoire, and with injury doubts having hung over the prominent Brits already just two weeks into the season, this could well be Norrie’s time to grab the spotlight.

Prediction: Norrie in three sets.

 

How to Watch/Follow the ASB Classic

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Point-by-point LiveScore

 

Norrie & Fritz are scheduled on Centre Court, not before 3pm (2am GMT).

 

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