By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie [14] def Benoit Paire [WC] 7-5 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-4
- Norrie v Lucas Pouille [Q] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
PARIS, FRANCE – Cameron Norrie survived a five set thriller against Benoit Paire to reach the second round of Roland Garros where he will face another Frenchman in the form of Lucas Pouille.
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Cameron Norrie [14] def Benoit Paire [WC] 7-5 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-4
Cameron Norrie is into the second round of Roland Garros after overcoming a five set thriller against Benoit Paire in front of a lively Suzanne-Lenglen crowd. It was a high-quality match from the start as both players produced stunning backhands from the baseline, producing impressive consistency.
The Frenchman was focused and concentrated as he responded to Norrie’s efficient serving with some impressive serving patterns of his own. Norrie looked the more threatening on return producing deep returns that forced errors from Paire’s game as the Brit created three break points in the sixth game. However the Frenchman responded with some clutch serving and powerful shot-making as he held for 3-3.
That was a key turning point for Paire’s confidence as with the help of the Parisian crowd, powered to an immediate break of serve as the Frenchman took a 4-3 lead. One area of Norrie’s game that has been concerning this season has been the number of missed opportunities from the Brit on break points. However Norrie was clinical in the opening set and displayed that in the next game, converting his fifth break point of the set to break back for 4-4.
The opening set was a high quality affair with neither player giving anything away on serve with Paire continuing to hammer down powerful first serves. However after an hour, Paire was the one to concede the set as mental fatigue set in and a mis-fired drop shot saw Norrie claim the opening set 7-5.
In past years, Paire would concede defeat and let the match slip away from him but that wasn’t the case in this match as he remained persistent and resilient. The Frenchman’s persistence was evident as he secured the break in the third game to take a 2-1 lead in the second set. A frustrated Norrie wasn’t too happy due to a controversial hinderance called in the previous game and decided to take matters into his own hands as he created more break point opportunities.
However once again Norrie missed his opportunities and was ultimately punished as Paire’s impressive and consistent serving remained clutch in the pressure moments. An electric last service game saw Paire wrap up the second set 6-4 and level the match at one set all.
The world number 149 continued the momentum into the third set as Norrie made too many unforced errors at the start of the third set. Paire remained inspired by the Parisian crowd with Norrie seemingly unable to find his best level as the Frenchman took a double break lead at 4-1.
There was a late response from Norrie who built up his confidence on return and produced a clinical return game to narrow the deficit to 5-3. However it was too little too late as Paire emphatically closed out the third set to take a two sets to one lead as he soaked in the Parisian atmosphere.
A lot of work needed for Norrie to turn this match around and he made a very impressive start in the fourth set as he picked up the intensity and aggression to take a double break lead at 4-1. The Brit dictated play from the baseline and took advantage of a fatigued Paire as he broke for a third time to take the fourth set 6-1, forcing a fifth set.
There was a rollercoaster of emotions in the final set for the Parisian crowd to go through as they chanted ‘Allez Benoit’ after Paire began the fifth set with a break of serve. The charismatic Frenchman really wanted the win and showed grit and passion as he saved multiple break points to hold on for a 3-1 lead.
In the end, Norrie’s returning persistence and pressure paid off as he sealed three games in a row with clever returning and better tactical play as he secured a remarkable comeback win to the heartbreak of the French crowd.
Cameron Norrie [14] v Lucas Pouille [Q] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [14] v Lucas Pouille [Q] | H2H: Tied at 1-1 |
| Roland Garros 2023 | Paris, France |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €97,000 |
| Fourth on Suzanne-Lenglen (15:30 BST) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7 day free trial of Discovery+ Player |
Next for Norrie is another Frenchman in the form of Lucas Pouille who has overcome physical and mental struggles to return to his best tennis.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 14) | Lucas Pouille (WR 675) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R3 (2021, 2022) | R3 (2017, 2018) |
| 1st Serve % | 64.7 | 53.7 |
| Service Games Won % | 79.6 | 82.4 |
| Break Points Saved % | 60.2 | 66.7 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 53.7 | 54.2 |
| Break Points Converted % | 39.7 | 42.6 |
Pouille’s returning statistics have been surprisingly consistent and that’s something Norrie will need to be aware of heading into this match.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Pouille has struggled with physical and mental struggles over the last couple of years but is now returning to a good place. Now at his home Grand Slam Pouille qualified for Roland Garros and finds himself in the second round with nothing to lose, the Frenchman will look to elevate his ranking and build a platform he can build on for the rest of the season.
Norrie will need to be more consistent on his serve and will look to be more aggressive on return as he will look to test Pouille’s stamina and quality. Meanwhile the Frenchman will look to stick to his strengths on serve as well as use his backhand to dominate the tempo of the rallies. Although Pouille has the quality to beat the top players, the consistency may still be lacking at this level and once Norrie has figured out the Frenchman’s game the Brit should ease to victory.
Prediction: Norrie in four sets.
Draper reveals mental challenges after retirement
Norrie is now the only singles player left in the draw after Jack Draper retied at 6-4 1-0 down to Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Draper fought for as long as he could as he did fight back from a break down in the opening set. However the Argentinian won the long rallies and Draper having to underarm serve for the majority of the opening set limited his game.
After starting the second set, the Brit was forced to retire due to a shoulder injury as he faces a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon. Speaking after the match Draper explained the mental challenges that face him having to be the guy that seems to retire a lot in matches and revealed he’s hopeful of a return on the grass courts.
“I hate being the guy who is injured a lot. It’s really difficult,” Draper told i news.
“Mentally, it’s extremely tough. It’s actually tougher than playing and losing almost, because you’re just coming back fighting back from the injuries.
“I’ve put in a lot work. I had a good week, last week. I came in here feeling optimistic, it’s not meant to be. I feel a bit mentally destroyed. I said to my coach in the first set, ‘I’m not retiring from another match, I don’t want to do this. Even if I have to play three sets underarm [serving], I don’t care, I just want to play’. But there’s no point in making this worse.
“Obviously, I’ve got to think about the grass around the corner and hope that it settles down before that, but it’s difficult. I don’t want to retire from a match at the French Open.”
Draper will hope to be fit for his next tournament which is scheduled to be in Stuttgart which begins on the 12 June.
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