By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie [4] def Egor Gerasimov [Q] 5-7 6-4 6-4
- Norrie v Marton Fucsovics | H2H: Norrie leads 3-0
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Cameron Norrie edged past Belarusian qualifier Egor Gerasimov in a tight three set match to reach the last 16 in Barcelona where he faces Marton Fucsovics next.
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Cameron Norrie [4] def Egor Gerasimov [Q] 5-7 6-4 6-4
Cameron Norrie won his first clay court match of the season but did it the complicated way as he squeezed past Egor Gerasimov in three sets. Norrie was conservative throughout the match as the Brit looked to play his way out of first gear in the opening set. It was Gerasimov who was the more aggressive player and was rewarded in the sixth game.
Despite failing to convert four break points in the second game, the Belarusian finally converted the break on his sixth opportunity of the set to take a 4-2 lead. However, like all top 10 players do, Norrie didn’t let Gerasimov rest in the next game as the world number 10 consistently kept a good level on return to break back with his first break point opportunity.
As both players traded brutal groundstrokes, Norrie couldn’t find a way past Gerasimov’s aggressiveness as the Brit still committed to unforced errors. After failing to convert a break point in the eleventh game, Norrie would concede the crucial break in the next game as the Belarusian’s risk-taking would get its rewards as he broke for the opening set.
A response was needed in the second set from Norrie and that was exactly what happened as some good angled returning from the Brit secured the early break for 2-1. Some good point construction and combinational shots saw Norrie gain confidence as the set went on and, despite having to save a break point in the eighth game, hung on to take the second set 6-4.
In the final set both players played their best tennis of the match as Gerasimov took the opening advantage for a 3-1 lead. However it was Norrie who used his experience in the end as immediately broke back which was then followed by a break in the ninth game thanks to a backhand into the net from the qualifier. Another backhand unforced error from Gerasimov saw Norrie serve out a very nervy contest to secure his place in the third round in Barcelona.
Cameron Norrie [4] v Marton Fucsovics H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [4] v Marton Fucsovics | H2H: Norrie leads 3-0 |
| ATP Barcelona | Barcelona, Spain |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €35,555 |
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Norrie will now take on Marton Fucsovics in the last 16 after the Hungarian defeated clay-court specialist Federico Delbonis in the last round.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 10) | Marton Fucsovics (WR 53) |
| Tournament Previous Best | QF (2021) | R2 (2016, 2019) |
| 1st Serve % | 65.4 | 63.1 |
| Service Games Won % | 80.9 | 77.3 |
| Break Points Saved % | 64.1 | 57.5 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 54.9 | 49.7 |
| Break Points Converted % | 44.2 | 36.6 |
Fucsovics’ inconsistency shows in the statistics as Norrie will look to be clinical on break points just like he has been for the rest of this season.
Playing Styles and Prediction
Fucsovics has struggled to find form this season with Barcelona being only the third time he has won back-to-back matches in 2022. The Hungarian displays a lot of power from the back of the court and a good serve but often struggles defensively against the more patient players.
Norrie’s variety and consistency has caused Fucsovics problems in the past and the same is expected here again with the Brit’s power and precision expected to be too much in the longer rallies. However if the Brit plays a similar match to the one he played against Gerasimov then it could be another tough day at the office. A straight sets win would be a nice confidence builder heading into the rest of the clay court swing.
Prediction: Norrie in straight sets.
Lorenzo Musetti def Dan Evans [12] 6-4 7-6(8)
As Norrie reaches the third round, Dan Evans’ tournament is over after a tough straight sets defeat to Lorenzo Musetti. The Italian played some aggressive tennis throughout the match and broke in the first game to set the tempo of the contest. Evans found confidence on serve after that but wasn’t effective enough on return as Musetti claimed the opening set convincingly.
The second set started in similar fashion with Musetti’s aggressive play earning the break in the opening game. However Evans ensured that there was a sting in the tale as he produced two consecutive breaks in a row as he won five games in a row for a 5-2 lead. But Evans couldn’t serve out the second set as he was broken at 5-4 and it was Musetti who constructed some stunning points to edge through the tiebreak and claim victory.
Evans will look for some more confidence next week where he plays in Munich and is the seventh seed.
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