By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie [2] def Facundo Diaz Acosta [WC] 4-6 7-5 7-6(6)
- Norrie v Tomas Martin Etcheverry | H2H: First Meeting
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – Cameron Norrie reached the quarter-finals in Argentina with a three hour victory over Facundo Diaz Acosta as he now faces Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the last eight.
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Cameron Norrie [2] def Facundo Diaz Acosta [WC] 4-6 7-5 7-6(6)
Cameron Norrie edged past Facundo Diaz Acosta in a three hour battle to reach the quarter-finals in Buenos Aires. Both players started the match well as Diaz Acosta used the home crowd to his advantage, hitting some powerful winners past Norrie’s stubborn defence. The Brit responded with a varied range of shot-making as he aimed to force errors from the Argentinian’s game.
However it was Norrie’s serve who was always the more vulnerable as he was unable to execute an accurate amount of first serves. After surviving two break points in the eighth game, Norrie would eventually be punished for his lack of aggression as the Argentinian secured the break with his fourth break point to claim the opening set 6-4 in 46 minutes.
At the start of the second set both players had chances to break as Norrie made the Argentinian move around the court in the hope he could create some winners. The plan didn’t work exactly how he wanted as the Brit lacked that cutting edge to fire winners past the world number 191.
Diaz Acosta didn’t mind that too much because that meant he could punish Norrie’s conservative play and a forehand winner secured the crucial break as well as a 3-1 lead. The Brit responded in quick fashion as he managed to break back on his third break point in the next game. However Norrie continued his sloppy tennis in big moments and more unforced errors meant that Diaz Acosta had the chance to serve for the match at 5-3.
However the Argentinian couldn’t keep his nerves under control and ultimately fell under pressure with a misfired forehand sealing the immediate break back for Norrie. That seemed to be the difference in terms of momentum in this match as the Brit sealed a run of four games in a row to level the match at one set all.
In the final set Norrie started the more aggressive and proactive player as he struck first for a 2-1 lead. However Diaz Acosta remained resilient in defence and found a way past Norrie’s stern yet passive defence as he broke back on his third break point for 3-3. Both players would have break point opportunities in the latter stages of the set but neither could take their chance as a dramatic final set tiebreak loomed.
The tiebreak was full of momentum changes but in the end it was Norrie who produced a powerful end to what was a shaky performance as he won the tiebreak to advance in a three hour epic.
Cameron Norrie [2] v Tomas Martin Etcheverry H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [2] v Tomas Martin Etcheverry | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: $18,940 |
| First on Court Guillermo Vilas (16:30 GMT Time) | TennisTV <- Subscription Required |
Norrie will face another Argentinian in the form of Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the last eight.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie
(WR 12) |
Tomas Martin Etcheverry (WR 82) |
| Tournament Previous Best | QR2 (2019) | R1 (2022) |
| 1st Serve % | 67.8 | 60.4 |
| Service Games Won % | 80.5 | 84.2 |
| Break Points Saved % | 63.8 | 46.7 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 52.9 | 51.4 |
| Break Points Converted % | 41.2 | 35.2 |
Etcheverry has the edge when it comes to first serve percentage while Norrie has a much more clinical return heading into this match.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
The Argentinian hasn’t had the best start to the season but will be looking to use his home tournament as inspiration for the rest of the season. Last season Etcheverry used the clay court swing to climb up the rankings and the Argentinian will look to continue to do that as he aims to end the end season inside the world’s top 50.
Norrie will look to play much better on return in this match and will need to be more aggressive then he was against Diaz Acosta. Meanwhile Etcheverry will look to use his serve to take the match to the Brit and will look to create space in the court with good use of angles especially on the forehand side. If Norrie can remain consistent then he should come through this match but on the basis of his last performance that is easier said then done.
Prediction: Norrie in three sets.
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