By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie [27] def Jaume Munar 6-3 1-6 6-3
- Norrie v Stefanos Tsitsipas [6] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
ROME, ITALY – Cameron Norrie won a tight contest against Jaume Munar in three sets to reach the third round in Rome where he will face Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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Cameron Norrie [27] def Jaume Munar 6-3 1-6 6-3
Cameron Norrie is into the third round in Rome after edging past Jaume Munar in two and a half hours. Their previous meetings were long and gruelling contests with the early stages of this match suggesting a repeat of those matches to be expected here. However it was the Spaniard who was winning the majority of those long rallies as he broke in the opening game with Norrie lacking a clinical instinct on serve.
As the set went on, Norrie gradually regained his confidence and used angles on the backhand side to open up the space on the court. Despite some huge misses in some big moments early on in the set, Norrie produced some magnificent returning in the latter stages of the set as he broke twice to take a 5-3 lead. Munar continued to apply the pressure on return but the Brit remained stern, saving six break points in his last two service games as he took the opening set in 52 minutes.
There was an impressive end to the first set from Norrie but the second set saw a huge drop-off from the Brit as he made plenty of unforced errors. Ten unforced errors from Norrie as he lacked consistency and confidence on serve with Munar breaking serve in all three return games. No signs of panic from Munar as the Spaniard comfortably secured the second set to force a decider on Court 12.
In the final set both players produced their best tennis of the match as Norrie was much more aggressive and efficient. There was good variety from both players as this match was a war of attrition and a battle of stamina. In the end there was more consistent aggression from Norrie as he took control of the match with a break in the sixth game for a 4-2 lead.
A last show of defiance from Munar was produced in the following game as the Spaniard had three break points saved with Norrie holding on for a 5-2 lead. That game was the final nail in the coffin as Norrie recomposed himself and secured a comfortable hold in the ninth game to secure his passage into the third round.
Cameron Norrie [27] v Stefanos Tsitsipas [6] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [27] v Stefanos Tsitsipas [6] | H2H: Tied at 1-1 |
| ATP Rome 2024 | Rome, Italy |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €51,665 |
| Second on Center Court (11:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Norrie will now face Monte-Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas for a place in the last 16 in Rome.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 30) | Stefanos Tsitsipas (WR 8) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R4 (2023) | Final (2022) |
| 1st Serve % | 61.3 | 57.9 |
| Service Games Won % | 80.8 | 84.8 |
| Break Points Saved % | 63.8 | 71.6 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 52.1 | 49.2 |
| Break Points Converted % | 39.4 | 44.2 |
Tsitsipas has been the more efficient player this season but Norrie will be encouraged by his own aggressive play on the second serve return.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Tsitsipas had a phenomenal start to the season having reached the Barcelona final as well as winning the Monte-Carlo title. However in recent weeks he has struggled to replicate that form and struggled past the in-form Jan-Lennard Struff in the last round. Now Tsitsipas will aim to improve his form ahead of an important two weeks at Roland Garros.
Norrie will aim to be aggressive on second serve return as he looks for more consistency and control on his serve. Meanwhile Tsitsipas will need to be more controlled on the forehand side as he looks to set up winners on the backhand side as the Greek aims to keep his efficient stats. This is a match that both players need to win in order to regain momentum ahead of Roland Garros with this match expected to be decided by who can play better under pressure.
Prediction: Norrie in three sets.
Daniil Medvedev [2] def Jack Draper 7-5 6-4
As Norrie prepares for the third round, Jack Draper exited the tournament at the second round stage after a gutsy straight sets defeat to defending champion Daniil Medvedev. Draper broke the second seed on three occasions and continued to apply the pressure on Medvedev despite being dominated in the second set.
However Medvedev was too strong for the Brit, who now heads to Geneva next week in order to gain more momentum before the second Grand Slam of the year at Roland Garros.
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