- Cameron Norrie v Constant Lestienne [Q]
- H2H: Lestienne leads 1-0 (Futures)
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – Cameron Norrie next faces another Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the second round of the Open 13 Provence.
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Recap: Cameron Norrie def. Constant Lestienne [Q] 6-4 6-7(4) 6-3
Cameron Norrie halted Frenchman Constant Lestienne’s run of form but was taken the distance. Facing all manner of shots, from casual swipes at the ball to drop shots, Norrie was made to work for his win.
The Brit was the first to break, but Lestienne was quick to peg him straight back, with Norrie having to wait until the penultimate game to have another chance, breaking the Frenchman to love. He was almost pipped to the post once more as Lestienne again threatened to break straight back, with Norrie needing four set points to take the lead.
The second set saw absolutely no quarter given with competitive games, before Norrie broke for a chance to serve out for the match again. This time Lestienne made no mistake in stopping Norrie, breaking straight back to force a tie-break.
An 4-1 lead in the tie-break soon evaporated for the Brit as Lestienne win six points on the run to clinch the second set.
Norrie was the first to break in the decider but again found himself back on level pegging by Lestienne, who had a fall and the trainer out during the match had taken to standing on his seat in change-overs to stretch.
Once more it came down to the penultimate game for Norrie, who broke once more, before serving out for a place in the second round.
Cameron Norrie v Pierre-Hugues Herbert H2H & Match Fundamentals
Cameron Norrie v Pierre-Hugues Herbert | H2H: Herbert leads 1-0 (excl. Qualies) |
ATP Marseille | Marseille, France |
Hard (I) | Prize Money: €7,140 |
Second on Central, not before 1:30pm (12:30pm GMT) | TennisTV <- Subscription Required |
Preview: Cameron Norrie v Pierre-Hugues Herbert | H2H: Herbert leads 1-0
In their only previous meeting, Pierre-Hugues Herbert gave Norrie a heart-breaker of a loss in five sets at the Australian Open 2020.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2021)
H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 63) | Pierre-Hugues Herbert (WR 93) |
Tournament Previous Best | Debut | R16 (2018, 2020) |
1st Serve % | 64 | 58 |
Service Games Won % | 76 | 72 |
Break Points Saved % | 58 | 60 |
2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 53 | 52 |
Break Points Converted % | 39 | 43 |
Norrie has seemed to be a bit more consistent this year in serve and return, but in clutch moment of saving break points, or converting them, the Frenchman has proved to have more flair.
Playing Styles
Norrie found himself tested in his opener and tested his movement and variety around the court. He can expect a little more of the same as he faces his second Frenchman in as many days.
With a capable serve, and a penchant to follow that in with his forehand to put those silky-smooth doubles skills at the net. However, for Norrie, if he can keep his deep groundstrokes pinning Herbert to the back of the court, and putting the big takeback for his forehand under a lot of pressure.
Herbert will really look to follow up a one-two punch of serve, forehand and then coming in to polish things off with a volley. The Frenchman has developed a solid doubles game in to a respectable singles game and has worked hard on his groundstrokes and all-round stamina. This was clear when he outlasted Norrie in Australia.
Prediction
Norrie has more matches in his legs this year than Herbert, and overall looks to be the more consistent, but Lestienne was able to take him the distance, and it would be no surprise if he had to toil again for another win.
Prediction: Norrie in three sets.
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