By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie [10] def Jason Kubler [Q] 6-3 6-4 6-3
- Norrie v Karen Khachanov [21] | H2H: Norrie leads 3-2
PARIS, FRANCE – Cameron Norrie cruised past Australian qualifier Jason Kubler to reach the third round at Roland Garros and set up a clash with Karen Khachanov.
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Cameron Norrie is into the third round at Roland Garros for a second consecutive year after a straight sets win over Jason Kubler. Both players started confidently but it was Kubler who created the first break opportunities in the third game as he took the match to Norrie with big-hitting.
The tenth seed saved the break points, holding serve and that would give him confidence to eliminate those early nerves as he would break the Australian with his first break point in the sixth game as Norrie took a 4-2 lead. Kubler would continue to apply the pressure with some big serving but the Brit remained calm and closed out the opening set in 36 minutes.
Norrie continued to cause the qualifier problems in the second set with a mixture of variety and power as he broke for a 1-0 lead. Kubler had to weather the early storm with a 12 minute hold in the third game being a crucial moment in the set as he saved two break points. That gave the Australian confidence as he took advantage of a lack of intensity from the Brit as he broke back for 2-2.
The world number 11 wasn’t fazed by Kubler’s resolve, power and determination as he went back on the attack, giving the Australian no free points and mixing up the tempo of the rally. After not converting a break point in the seventh game, there was no denying Norrie in the next return game as he continued to pummel Kubler’s baseline with powerful depth and earned his reward to break for 5-4. Norrie closed out the set and sealed a two sets to love lead and control of the match.
It was a mountain to climb for Kubler, who showcased his big serving throughout the match, but the Australian made the perfect start as he took advantage of some loose errors from the Brit and took a 3-0 lead. Norrie’s poor start had started to install confidence into the Australian as he went for bigger shots and tested the Brit’s mentality.
However as the set went on Kubler looked more tired as Norrie continued to extend the rallies and make life difficult for the world number 160. The Brit made an aggressive finish to the match as he sealed six games in a row and secured a place into the last 32 for a second time in Paris.
Cameron Norrie [10] v Karen Khachanov [21] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [10] v Karen Khachanov [21] | H2H: Norrie leads 3-2 |
| Roland Garros | Paris, France |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €126,000 |
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Norrie takes on 21st seed Karen Khachanov in the last 32 and the Brit has won both of their meetings on clay.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022 – Clay)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 11) | Karen Khachanov (WR 25) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R3 (2021) | QF (2019) |
| 1st Serve % | 68.3 | 63.2 |
| Service Games Won % | 79.9 | 79.4 |
| Break Points Saved % | 60 | 60.8 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 51.6 | 46.1 |
| Break Points Converted % | 43.7 | 38.2 |
Norrie has the advantage in every statistic as the Brit has outperformed the Russian so far this clay court swing.
Playing Styles and Prediction
Khachanov has had a season where he would have expected to do better having not won three matches in a single tournament so far this season. The Russian has already come up against the likes of Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas this clay court season and although has tested them, ultimately hasn’t prevailed. Now Khachanov will look to take his big game and score one big win on the red dirt this year.
Norrie will need to keep being consistent and mixing up the tempo of the rallies as this is something that has proved effective against Khachanov in the past. The Russian being allowed time on the ball plays into Norrie’s hands as Khachanov often struggles to hit through the clay and make decisive decisions. This should be a favourable match-up for Norrie and with the form he’s in, should make the second week in Paris.
Prediction: Norrie in four sets.
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