By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie def Luca Van Assche [LL] 6-3 3-6 6-1
- Norrie v Zizou Bergs | H2H: First Meeting
METZ, FRANCE – Cameron Norrie is into his fourth ATP quarter-final of the season after a three set win over Luca Van Assche in Metz and will now play Zizou Bergs in the last eight.
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Cameron Norrie def Luca Van Assche [LL] 6-3 3-6 6-1
Cameron Norrie is into the quarter-finals in Metz after the Brit defeated lucky loser Luca Van Assche in three sets. The win means Norrie has won back-to-back matches on the ATP tour for the first time since Wimbledon. It was a much better start to the match for Norrie than his previous encounter as he served confidently and worked the angles well from the baseline.
However Van Assche was equally as proactive on serve as he used the backhand to force errors from Norrie’s game. The Frenchman earned a lot of confidence from his Challenger tour win over Norrie a few weeks ago with Van Assche producing some stunning groundstrokes from the baseline. However some tactical errors cost Van Assche the opening set as Norrie became more aggressive and in the eighth game Norrie sealed the crucial break for a 5-3 lead. The British number two secured the opening set with a comfortable hold in a 32 minute set.
In the second set both players had some joy on return but it was Van Assche who created the more dangerous opportunities. The world number 112 tested Norrie’s serve in the fourth game as two break point opportunities were created only for the Brit to hold serve with some big first serves. After a medical time-out on his foot, Van Assche ensured that his momentum wouldn’t go to waste as it was he who broke in the eighth game before securing the second set in 47 minutes.
It became evident though that Van Assche was struggling physically and Norrie took advantage, holding his opening two service games to love as well as breaking in the second game. The Frenchman had a big opportunity in the fifth game to try and halt Norrie’s persistent pressure but the Brit’s serving was too clutch as he held for 4-1.
The world number 57 secured another break in the sixth game before securing the win in a tight service game, reaching his first ATP tour quarter-final since Barcelona in April.
Cameron Norrie v Zizou Bergs H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie v Zizou Bergs | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Metz 2024 | Metz, France |
| Indoor Hard | Prize Money: €17,510 |
| Second on Court Central (Not before 13:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Norrie will now take on Zizou Bergs for the opportunity to reach his second semi-final this season.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 57) | Zizou Bergs (WR 61) |
| Tournament Previous Best | N/A | R1 (2022) |
| 1st Serve % | 64.1 | 61.2 |
| Service Games Won % | 81.1 | 81.3 |
| Break Points Saved % | 64.1 | 60.1 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 50.5 | 50.2 |
| Break Points Converted % | 40 | 37.2 |
Norrie will aim to take advantage of the momentum he has created in Metz so far with the Brit having superior numbers this season in comparison to Bergs.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Bergs has had a breakthrough season this year with the Belgian qualifying for Masters 1000 events and Grand Slams as well as producing consistently good results. Now Bergs would love nothing more than to inch closer to a place in the world’s top 50 and continue his good run of form in Metz this week.
Norrie will look to be aggressive on serve and will use the backhand in order to be efficient on return. Meanwhile Bergs will stick to his strengths and use the serve and forehand to be on the front foot as he looks to put Norrie under pressure by approaching the net. This will be a big test for Norrie and the Brit must remain consistent on return in order to win this match.
Prediction: Bergs in three sets.
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