Cameron Norrie in the quarter-final of the Nature Valley International, ATP Eastbourne 2018
Cameron Norrie in the quarter-final of the Nature Valley International, ATP Eastbourne 2018 | (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for LTA)

Tennis | ATP Estoril 2021 | Cameron Norrie v Marin Cilic [6] Preview & Prediction

  • Cameron Norrie v Marin Cilic [6]
  • H2H: First Meeting

ESTORIL, PORTUGAL – Cameron Norrie upset the No. 2 seed Cristian Garin in another three setter and sets up a semi-final clash with Marin Cilic.

 

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Cameron Norrie def. Cristian Garin [2] 3-6, 7-5, 6-3

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British No. 2 Cameron Norrie stunned the No. 2 seed Cristian Garin as he booked his place in the semi-finals. Having had to come from a set down in the previous round, Norrie had to ‘houdini’ his way into the final four. Going from having had four break points, Norrie found himself unable to convert, before being broken just the once in the first set.

The second set was just as competitive, and once more Norrie was pushing more, but still could not get over the line, but his perseverance paid off as he broke at the end of the set to level the match.

Things were a lot more edgy in the second set with Garin breaking Norrie in the first game but getting pegged back straight away. Norrie had to fend off more break points before finally getting his chance to go ahead. It was enough for him to hold on to to claim another Top 30 scalp.

As reported in ATPTour.com, Norrie said after the match: “Garin is always so tough on the clay and I think [it’s] one of my best wins ever on the clay. It was a battle. He came out a bit sharper than me. I managed to play a good return game in the second set to break there and held my nerve and played some of my best tennis of the week at the 3-2, 4-2 games.”

 

Cameron Norrie v Marin Cilic [6] H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Cameron Norrie v Marin Cilic [6] H2H: First Meeting
ATP Estoril Estonia, Portugal
Clay (O) Prize Money: €9,000
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Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2021 – Clay)

H2H: Cameron Norrie (WR 50) Marin Cilic [42]
Tournament Previous Best R2 (2018) Debut
1st Serve % 66.2 70
Service Games Won % 85.7 75
Break Points Saved % 67.6 67.6
2nd Serve Return Points Won % 52.3 47.5
Break Points Converted % 37.7 32.4

As you would expect, Marin Cilic’s serving stats will put him ahead of Norrie, and they have been equally clutch in fending off break points on serve this year, but Norrie has been in superb form on clay so far, and consistent over the whole season.

 

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Playing Styles & Prediction

Clay is perhaps not the best surface for Cilic to take advantage of his topspin second serve, but above all else, Norrie will need to work hard to get on the end of those serves , and will need to get him moving.

Norrie’s movement this season has been great and he will need to throw as much variety as a can towards the tall, somewhat gangly Croatian.

Prediction: Norrie in three sets.

 

 

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