By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie def Learner Tien 6-3 7-5
- Norrie v Lorenzo Sonego | H2H: Tied at 1-1
HONG KONG, CHINA – Cameron Norrie cruised past Learner Tien in straight sets to set up a second round meeting with Lorenzo Sonego.
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Cameron Norrie def Learner Tien 6-3 7-5
Cameron Norrie is into the second round in Hong Kong as he started his 2025 season with a straight sets win over American rising star Learner Tien. The Brit ended a disappointing 2024 season with a final in Metz and started the new season where he left off by breaking in the second game before saving break point to hold for a 3-0 lead.
However Tien also ended 2024 in fine fashion by reaching the final of the Next Gen Finals and the American grew into the match, forcing Norrie on the backfoot as he broke back in the seventh game with the match back on serve. Unsettled by that small blip, Norrie refocused and grinded from the baseline to force more errors from the inexperienced Tien, immediately breaking back for a 5-3 lead. Despite some world class tennis from Tien, Norrie remained calm as a forehand winner secured the set in 35 minutes.
In the second set Norrie struggled to break down the explosive tennis of Tien and was slightly more passive as a result. The American found holes in Norrie’s game and the forehand did all the damage as a net cord secured a 5-3 lead. Although the shot was lucky, the performance was not as he fully deserved the opportunity to serve for the second with Norrie having work to do.
Nerves kicked in for Tien though as a double fault handed Norrie the break back as the Brit’s experience and consistency proved crucial throughout the rest of the match. The British number two reeled off four games in a row and finished the match with a big serve down the middle to secure a spot in the second round.
Cameron Norrie v Lorenzo Sonego H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie v Lorenzo Sonego | H2H: Tied at 1-1 |
| ATP Hong Kong 2025 | Hong Kong, China |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $11,935 |
| First on Centre Court (05:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Next up for Norrie is explosive Italian Lorenzo Sonego with Norrie winning their only meeting last season in Indian Wells.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 49) | Lorenzo Sonego (WR 53) |
| Tournament Previous Best | N/A | N/A |
| 1st Serve % | 65.1 | 66.9 |
| Service Games Won % | 81.4 | 83.6 |
| Break Points Saved % | 64.1 | 61.3 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 50.4 | 44.5 |
| Break Points Converted % | 39.7 | 33.1 |
Norrie will look to continue to be consistently aggressive from the baseline as he will aim to put pressure on Sonego’s returning.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Sonego had a consistent 2024 season but not one that had people on the edge of their seats as he ended the season seven places lower than at the start of the season. The Italian has the game to trouble players but has rarely been able to put his game together in order to achieve big results. Now the world number 53 will be hoping he can do better at that in 2025 as he aims to challenge for a Grand Slam seeding.
Norrie will aim to be aggressive on serve and rush Sonego’s returning as the Italian has often lacked confidence in that area of his game before. Meanwhile Sonego will use the forehand to dictate play and put Norrie on the back foot. This will be a good test for Norrie but one the Brit should come through comfortably.
Prediction: Norrie in straight sets.
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