By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie [2] def Marc Polmans [Q] 6-0 6-3
- Norrie v Aslan Karatsev | H2H: Norrie leads 2-0
ZHUHAI, CHINA – Cameron Norrie thrashed Marc Polmans in straight sets to set up a quarter-final meeting with Aslan Karatsev in Zhuhai after Karatsev knocked out Andy Murray.
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Cameron Norrie [2] def Marc Polmans [Q] 6-0 6-3
Cameron Norrie is into the quarter-finals in Zhuhai after only dropping three games against Marc Polmans. The Brit needed a much-needed win after a turbulent season and responded with a dominant performance in the opening set.
Norrie’s mixture of variety and power saw him create five break points with Polmans unable to dictate the tempo of the rallies on his own serve. The Brit’s nine winners saw him power to three breaks of serve as he won all six games in a 27 minute opening set as Polmans needed to be more aggressive and proactive in the second set.
The Australian was more consistent on serve in the second set but that was after Norrie made it nine games in a row. The second seed was clinical on return as he broke in the second game and consolidated in the next game to take a 3-0 lead. Polmans remained resilient in his quest to make the match competitive as he held for the rest of the set, avoiding the double break.
However 16 more winners from Norrie proved too much for the qualifier as he held comfortably to seal a place in the last eight with a dominant 78 minute performance.
Cameron Norrie [2] v Aslan Karatsev | H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [2] v Aslan Karatsev | H2H: Norrie leads 2-0 |
| ATP Zhuhai 2023 | Zhuhai, China |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $29,675 |
| Third On Center Court (Not Before 10:00 BST) | TennisTV <- Subscription Required |
Norrie will now face Aslan Karatsev after Karatsev came back from a set down to defeat Andy Murray in three sets.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 17) | Aslan Karatsev (WR 63) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R2 (2019) | N/A |
| 1st Serve % | 64.9 | 60.5 |
| Service Games Won % | 79.9 | 83.5 |
| Break Points Saved % | 63.1 | 66.2 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 52.2 | 49.6 |
| Break Points Converted % | 41.2 | 36 |
Norrie will look to continue his returning efficiency against the consistent serving of Karatsev as a place in the semi-finals is on the line.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Karatsev is on a wave of momentum after his latest win over Murray with the Brit lacking that consistency and aggression to gain control of the match as Karatsev is into the last eight. Now Karatsev is aiming for a place in the semi-finals as he looks to finish a strong season with a run of wins to build on for next season.
Norrie will look to be aggressive on return as he will look to use his forehand to increase the tempo of the rallies. Meanwhile Karatsev will look to cause problems with his backhand as he looks to use depth to neutralise Norrie’s game and test the second seed’s confidence. This will be a tough test for Norrie but if the Brit can remain consistently aggressive on the forehand side the he should advance into the semi-finals.
Prediction: Norrie in three sets.
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