- Cameron Norrie [10] def Reilly Opelka 6-3 6-4
- Norrie v Taylor Fritz | H2H: Norrie leads 4-3
PARIS, FRANCE – Cameron Norrie strengthened his position to qualify for the ATP Finals with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Reilly Opelka as he meets in-form Taylor Fritz in the last 16 in Paris.
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Cameron Norrie [10] def Reilly Opelka 6-3 6-4
Cameron Norrie strengthened his position to qualify for the ATP Finals after a straight sets win over Reilly Opelka. The Brit had to fend off some early pressure from the tall American, who was constructing some clean groundstrokes early on. However Opelka couldn’t take any of the two break point opportunities in the third game as the match went on serve.
Good authority was shown on serve as both players served a combined total of eleven aces in the opening set. No real opportunities were created until the eighth game when Norrie’s anticipation skills and variety in groundstrokes earned him two break points. It was Opelka who faltered when it mattered most as the American served one of three double faults in the set to hand Norrie the initiative. One that Norrie was delighted to take as he sealed the opening set over a visibly frustrated Opelka in 28 minutes.
Both players increased the level of their return games in the second set as there were early break point opportunities created. Despite none being taken in the opening couple of games it was Opelka, with some heavy forehands, dictated the early points on return and broke for a 3-1 lead.
But just like he has done for most of this season, Norrie’ ability to bounce back won him the match as wonderful angles and variety in shots saw him break in two consecutive games to go 4-3 up. It was nearly a third consecutive break but Opelka’s big-serve saw him save four match points to hold. However Norrie converted his first match point to book his place in the last 16 in Paris.
Jannik Sinner’s loss to Carlos Alcaraz also meant that the Brit is the main threat to Casper Ruud and Hubert Hurkacz in terms of qualifying for the ATP Finals.
Cameron Norrie [10] v Taylor Fritz H2H & Match Fundamentals
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Cameron Norrie [10] v Taylor Fritz |
H2H: Norrie leads 4-3 |
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ATP Paris-Bercy |
Paris, France |
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Indoor Hard |
Prize Money: €36,000 |
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Second on Court Central (12:00 GMT) |
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Norrie now faces the in-form Taylor Fritz who recorded a third consecutive top 10 win after beating Andrey Rublev in the second round.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2021 – Hard)
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H2H: |
Cameron Norrie (WR 13) |
Taylor Fritz (WR 26) |
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Tournament Previous Best |
R1 (2019) |
R2 (2019) |
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1st Serve % |
65.3 |
58.5 |
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Service Games Won % |
79 |
83.2 |
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Break Points Saved % |
58.1 |
64.6 |
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2nd Serve Return Points Won % |
52.7 |
49 |
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Break Points Converted % |
45.1 |
34.8 |
Norrie dominates most of the statistics heading into this clash but Fritz has the more effective percentage when closing out his service games and saving break points.
Playing Styles and Prediction
Since having minor knee surgery before Wimbledon, Fritz has been in top form having reached semi-finals in Atlanta and Indian Wells as well as winning St. Petersburg last week. Wins against Matteo Berrettini and Alexander Zverev before the indoor hard court swing proves the American is capable of overpowering anybody on the tour.
Norrie may need to show his aggressive side in this match as Fritz will punish any opportunity the Brit has to be passive. However Norrie’s ability to be clinical from break point opportunities against the biggest of servers will give the American problems. On this fairly slow Paris surface, Norrie should fancy his chances of reaching the last eight and setting up a potential meeting with Novak Djokovic.
Prediction: Norrie in three sets.
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