By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie [10] def Andrey Rublev [6] 6-2 6-4
- Norrie v Frances Tiafoe [14] | H2H: Norrie leads 1-0
INDIAN WELLS, USA – Cameron Norrie produced an impressive performance as he cruised past Andrey Rublev in straight sets to set up a quarter-final meeting with Frances Tiafoe at Indian Wells.
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Cameron Norrie [10] def Andrey Rublev [6] 6-2 6-4
Cameron Norrie produced one of his best performances of the season as he defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals at Indian Wells. Norrie produced his most aggressive performance of the season as he started the match in impressive fashion, breaking in the opening game.
Rublev made the perfect response breaking in the next game to level the set at 1-1 but the sixth seed was too erratic throughout the match. This allowed Norrie to step forwards and play attacking tennis as the Brit broke for a second time for a 2-1 lead. Rublev attempted to gain the break back as he refused to give up but Norrie was too strong in the pressure moments, fending off pressure on return from Rublev.
Eventually Norrie gave himself a bit of breathing space as he broke for a second time in the seventh game, taking a 5-2 lead. Norrie would seal the opening set with an ace as he held to love to take the first set in 31 minutes.
The second set started competitively with Norrie continuing to produce winners from both the forehand and backhand side. Despite Rublev’s accurate serving to start the set, it was the Brit who secured the crucial break in the third game as he secured a 2-1 lead. Despite the deficit, Rublev refused to give up and in the sixth game, created two break points to put Norrie under severe pressure.
However Norrie would save both break points as he remained patient and waited for the perfect moment to finish the rally off with a forehand winner. A crucial hold for a 4-2 lead saw Norrie gain even more confidence as he broke for a second time to take a 5-2 lead and serve for the match.
The tenth seed couldn’t close out the match at the first time of asking as he failed to convert match point and on break point, Rublev hammered a backhand cross-court winner to gain one of the breaks back. In the end Norrie sealed victory with another forehand winner as he sealed a place in the quarter-finals.
Cameron Norrie [10] v Frances Tiafoe [14] | H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [10] v Frances Tiafoe [14] | H2H: Norrie leads 1-0 |
| Indian Wells 2023 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $184,465 |
| First on Stadium One (18:00 GMT) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Norrie will now face 14th seed and US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe for a place in the semi-finals.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 12) | Frances Tiafoe (WR 16) |
| Tournament Previous Best | Champion (2021) | R3 (2021, 2022) |
| 1st Serve % | 64.7 | 63.5 |
| Service Games Won % | 80.5 | 91.1 |
| Break Points Saved % | 59 | 72.5 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 54.7 | 47.4 |
| Break Points Converted % | 40.2 | 32.6 |
Tiafoe has overwhelmingly been the better player on serve while Norrie has been the more efficient player on return.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Tiafoe loves playing in America as was shown last year when he made his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open. The 25 year-old has had an incredible last year as he now looks to go one step further and break into the world’s top ten. Tiafoe’s big serving and rally tolerance from the baseline has seen him beat some of the world’s best players and the American is looking to continue to do that this week.
Norrie will look to maintain the aggression that he did against Rublev but will also be aware that Tiafoe has more defensive options than Rublev does. Tiafoe will look to dictate the tempo of the rallies through his serve as he aims to create as many free points as possible. This should be a competitive match that sees Tiafoe’s serve go up against Norrie’s clinical return. In the end the Brit should prevail as long as he can maintain a consistent attacking level of play.
Prediction: Norrie in three sets.
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