By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie def Arthur Rinderknech [9] 7-6(9) 6-2
- Norrie v Alex Michelsen [3] | H2H: Norrie leads 1-0
DELRAY BEACH, USA – Cameron Norrie ousted out Arthur Rinderknech in order to reach his second ATP quarter-final of the season and now faces Alex Michelsen in Delray Beach.
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Cameron Norrie def Arthur Rinderknech [9] 7-6(9) 6-2
Cameron Norrie is into his second ATP quarter-final of the season after a straight sets win over big-serving Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech. Despite putting early pressure on Rinderknech’s serve, it was Norrie who was broken first as some efficient play from Rinderknech at the net saw the Frenchman break to love for a 2-1 lead.
However, just like his first round match Norrie broke immediately back as he worked the angles and tested Rinderknech in exhausting long rallies. There was some consistently aggressive returning from Norrie as he aimed to take advantage of some passive play from Rinderknech on serve. The Frenchman produced some bold patterns of play including an underarm serve and volley combination as he saved three break points to force a first set tiebreak.
In the tiebreak both players were neck and neck with there being very little to separate the two players. A flurry of forehands from Norrie did the trick as he was the more proactive and aggressive player in the big moments. It was a forehand winner that secured the set for Norrie as he converted his eighth set point to take the tiebreak 11-9.
The British number two fired up the crowd and Norrie made the most of the momentum in the second set, producing some clinical returning in the process. A fatigued Rinderknech made a catalogue of unforced errors as Norrie broke twice to take a 3-0 lead. The Frenchman had minimum effect on the match as he was tired and tactically inept.
A second set masterclass was completed with a hold to love as Norrie booked his place in the quarter-finals of Delray Beach.
Cameron Norrie v Alex Michelsen [3] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie v Alex Michelsen [3] | H2H: Norrie leads 1-0 |
| ATP Delray Beach 2025 | Delray Beach, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $20,555 |
| Third on Stadium (Not before 19:30 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Next for Norrie is a rematch of last week’s clash in Dallas as he bids to defeat Alex Michelsen for a second consecutive week.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Last 52 Weeks)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 61) | Alex Michelsen (WR 37) |
| Tournament Previous Best | Champion (2022) | R2 (2024) |
| 1st Serve % | 66.2 | 68.2 |
| Service Games Won % | 79.2 | 80.6 |
| Break Points Saved % | 62.3 | 60.9 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 52.1 | 50.9 |
| Break Points Converted % | 38.1 | 39.1 |
Norrie will need to continue being consistently efficient on return as he is taking on a clinical server in the form of Michelsen.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Michelsen will be aiming to be more consistent after his defeat to Norrie last week as the American didn’t have the physicality to catch tup with the Brit. The 20 year-old will be relying on his serve to get him out of trouble as he will need to create angles in order to force errors from Norrie. `
Meanwhile Norrie will look to be proactive and aggressive as he forces the American into tactical errors, finishing points off at the net. This should be an interesting contest with both players looking to play aggressive tennis. However the slower conditions do favour Norrie and the Brit will be hoping to reach his first ATP semi-final since Metz towards the end of last season.
Prediction: Norrie in three sets.
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