By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie [10] def Taro Daniel [Q] 6-7(5) 7-5 6-2
- Norrie v Andrey Rublev [6] | H2H: Rublev leads 2-1
INDIAN WELLS, USA – Cameron Norrie outlasted Taro Daniel in three sets to reach the fourth round at Indian Wells where he will play sixth seed Andrey Rublev.
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Cameron Norrie [10] def Taro Daniel [Q] 6-7(5) 7-5 6-2
Cameron Norrie is into the last 16 at Indian Wells after outlasting in-form qualifier Taro Daniel in three sets. The Brit had to come from a set and a break down to win as Daniel continued his impressive form into this match. The qualifier came out strong producing some good ball-striking from the baseline as he earned the break in the opening game.
There was an immediate response from Norrie though as he broke straight back and held to love for a 2-1 lead. The former champion was playing some aggressive tennis on serve but lacked that clinical final shot on return as Daniel’s serving was consistent throughout the opening set. Towards the end of the set, Norrie was forced to deuce on two separate occasions as some sloppy play allowed Daniel to gain some confidence.
However some aggressive patterns of play on big points saw him win the pressure points as he withstood the pressure from Daniel. A hold to love from the Japanese qualifier saw the opening set go to a tiebreak as there was nothing to separate the two players, who produced world-class defensive shots. After conceding the mini-break on two occasions, Daniel produced a strong end to the set as he won four points in a row to seal the tiebreak 7-5.
A response was needed from Norrie but the Brit wasn’t able to produce the desired result initially as Daniel continued his high level of play on return. The world number 103 broke in the second game as he took a 3-0 lead with Norrie’s hopes of reaching the fourth round fading. As the set went on, the pressure was off Norrie which seemed to suit him as he finally started to create some break point opportunities with Daniel’s serving not as consistent as it was in the opening set.
At his second attempt of trying in the second set, Norrie finally made the breakthrough in the seventh game as the set was back on serve at 4-3. That seemed to give the 11th seed the confidence he desperately needed on return as he produced some great angles to make Daniel work for every point. A more proactive approach saw Norrie break for a second time as he took a 5-4 lead in the set and a chance to level the match at one set all.
On his first chance of trying Norrie couldn’t produce the consistency on serve as he produced a poor game as Daniel broke back for 5-5. However the Brit did convert his opportunity the second time round as he broke for a 6-5 lead and converted his third set point to level the match at one set all.
That was the crucial blow to Daniel’s hopes as the Japanese player ran out of steam in the final set. Norrie broke to love in the opening game and followed that up with another break in the third game to take a 3-0 lead. Despite Daniel gaining one of the breaks back in the next game, Norrie cruised through the remainder of the set as he broke to love in the seventh game for a 5-2 lead.
The 11th seed converted his first match point as his hopes of winning a second title in California remain intact after a two hour and 43 minute battle.
Cameron Norrie [10] v Andrey Rublev [6] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [10] v Andrey Rublev [6] | H2H: Rublev leads 2-1 |
| Indian Wells 2023 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $96,955 |
| Second on Stadium 3, not before 12:30pm (7:30pm GMT) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Norrie now faces Andrey Rublev for a spot in the quarter-finals in California with Rublev winning their last meeting at the US Open last year.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 12) | Andrey Rublev (WR 7) |
| Tournament Previous Best | Champion (2021) | SF (2022) |
| 1st Serve % | 64.7 | 63.8 |
| Service Games Won % | 80.5 | 84.5 |
| Break Points Saved % | 59 | 64.9 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 54.7 | 48 |
| Break Points Converted % | 40.2 | 34.5 |
Rublev is the more dominant player on serve while Norrie is more clinical on return heading into this last 16 contest.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Rublev has shown his inconsistency in form throughout the last 12 months but recently the world number seven has showed his quality as he has put a good run of results together. Now Rublev will hope to make a deep run in California as he looks to win a Masters 1000 title and put himself in the mix to be a contender at the Grand Slams later this year.
Norrie will look need to be aggressive but also use a lot of variety to disrupt Rublev’s rhythm especially on return. Meanwhile Rublev will look to use his serve and forehand to keep the points short and end the points as early as possible. This should be an entertaining battle with both players at the top of their game. In the end Norrie should use the conditions to his advantage and edge to victory.
Prediction: Norrie in three sets.
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