By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie [9] def Andy Murray 3-6 6-3 6-4
- Norrie v Ben Shelton [WC]| H2H: First Meeting
CINCINNATI, USA – Cameron Norrie capitalised on Andy Murray’s missed opportunities to reach the last 16 where he will face American wildcard Ben Shelton.
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Cameron Norrie [9] def Andy Murray 3-6 6-3 6-4
Cameron Norrie is into the last 16 after edging out Andy Murray in three sets in Cincinnati. The match saw Murray dictate most of the match but a lack of clinical finishing cost him the match. After both players exchanged breaks to start the match it was Murray who dictated most of the points with some aggressive play as Norrie had to dig deep in the early exchanges.
Murray’s net play in particular was impressive as he took the match to the ninth seed with Norrie being unable to answer the questions posed to him. The three-time grand slam grinded out the break in the eighth game with some clinical returning. Murray followed that up by converting his second set points as he held to take the opening set, with Norrie having a lot of work to do in the following sets.
Norrie had to survive a wave of aggressive play from Murray in the second set but some cheap errors from the former world number one saw the current British number one hold to start the second set. As the set grew on, Norrie’s confidence increased on the big points with Murray’s frustration building at the number of opportunities that were missed.
Eventually Murray would be made to pay for not taking his opportunities as Norrie pounced on his second break point of the set to have the chance to serve for the second set. Once again, Murray created opportunities to break but saw all three of them disappear in a flash as a result of Norrie’s proactive tennis. The ninth seed then wrapped up the second set with an ace as this match was going to a deciding set.
Both players played their best tennis of the match in the deciding set as the quality of returning dramatically improved. Once again it was Murray who was doing the hard work with efficiency as he set up two more break points in a ten minute long sixth game. However the same result still occurred as he failed to convert his opportunities through some poor shot selection.
Murray finished the match having only converted two of eleven break points and in the end was punished for his lack of clinical finishing. Norrie tired his compatriot out where cramping once again became an issue for Murray as he double faulted in the ninth game to hand Norrie the break.
A forehand winner finished the match off for Norrie who is into the last 16 in Cincinnati for the first time. As for Murray, he has next week to think about how to fix his cramping issue and lack of clinical edge on break points before the US Open begins on the 29th of August.
Cameron Norrie [9] v Ben Shelton [WC] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [9] v Ben Shelton [WC] | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Cincinnati | Cincinnati, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $84,510 |
| Fifth on Stadium Three (23:00 BST) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Norrie will now face talented American wildcard Ben Shelton in the last 16 after the American stunned Casper Ruud in the last round.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 11) | Ben Shelton (WR 229) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R1 (2020, 2021) | N/A |
| 1st Serve % | 66.1 | 61.6 |
| Service Games Won % | 80.6 | 89.2 |
| Break Points Saved % | 62.2 | 71.8 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 53.5 | 48.3 |
| Break Points Converted % | 43.6 | 36.3 |
Shelton has been very impressive on serve in the small glimpse seen of him on the tour but will have a different test in the form of Norrie’s clinical returning.
Playing Styles and Prediction
Shelton has been very impressive this season and has made a rapid rise up the rankings. The American has a powerful game that has seen him go deep in Challenger events and recently pushed John Isner all the way in Atlanta. Can the American’s belief take him to bigger and better achievements?
Norrie will need to be patient as Shelton will look to start well and will be inspired by the American crowd. The Brit will look to use his variety in pace and shot selection to test the American’s attacking tennis. This will be a tough test for both players for two different reasons but Norrie’s experience should edge him through this match although the Brit will look to play much better than he has in the last two matches.
Prediction: Norrie in three sets.
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