By Tony Fairbairn
- Pavel Kotov def Cameron Norrie [32] 4-6 6-3 3-6 7-6(5) 6-2
- Linda Noskova [32] def Harriet Dart 7-6(3) 6-4
- Cameron Norrie described his five set defeat as ‘devastating’ while Harriet Dart regretted her missed opportunities.
PARIS, FRANCE – Cameron Norrie described his five set defeat to Pavel Kotov as ‘devastating’ while Harriet Dart rued her missed opportunities as both players exited Roland Garros in the first round.
 |
Pavel Kotov def Cameron Norrie [32] 4-6 6-3 3-6 7-6(5) 6-2
Cameron Norrie’s Roland Garros came to an end in the opening round as he lost in five sets to Pavel Kotov.
After two rain delays, Norrie eventually entered court 13 as he aimed to find confidence in what was a tough section of the draw.
However Norrie made a slow start to the match as he was too passive allowing Kotov time to find his range from the baseline.
The confidence from Kotov was rewarded as the world number 60 broke and consolidated as he took a 4-1 lead.
That was the wake-up call, Norrie needed as he started to play more aggressively as he dictated play from the baseline.
It was Norrie who found the more consistent rhythm towards the end of the set as he was winning the longer rallies, securing five games in a row to take the opening set 6-4.
In the second set, Norrie maintained his confident level of play but was unable to take his chances which was a story of the match.
Norrie’s missed chances gave Kotov confidence and the Brit paid the price for his lack of efficiency as he played a tame service game, handing Kotov the break at 5-3.
No invitation was needed for Kotov as he held the next game to level the match at one set all.
Things went from bad to worse for Norrie at the start of the third set as he continued to produce errors in slow Parisian conditions with Kotov breaking to start the set.
It’s not about how you start it’s about how you finish as Norrie broke immediately back and ended the set with some smart and aggressive tennis.
Three games in a row saw Norrie in control of the match as he took a two set to one lead with Kotov being frustrated.
As the sun came out and the rain came down, Norrie continued to make sloppy mistakes at the start of the fourth set with Kotov seizing a 4-1 lead.
However just like the opening set, Norrie came back into the set breaking back in the seventh game.
The Brit had several half-opportunities to break again but Norrie lacked that clinical instinct as the fate of the set would be decided in a tiebreak.
Kotov had control of most of the tiebreak but had to work hard to win the set when Norrie came back from 5-2 down to level the tiebreak at 5-5.
In the end Norrie was the master of his own downfall as two errors gave Kotov the fourth set before Kotov ran away with the final set to seal a big victory over the Brit.
 |
Norrie ‘devastated’ after five set defeat, Dart rues missed opportunities
An early exit for Norrie is an alarming result as the Brit’s inconsistent run of results since the Australian Open continues.
Speaking after the match Norrie said the loss was ‘devastating’ as he has plenty to think about before the grass court season.
“I am pretty devastated with the result,” Norrie was quoted by The Daily Mail as saying.
“I did not play well at all — credit to him. There were a few lapses in concentration. This one is going to hurt a lot — I had wonderful preparation coming in. I did not perform. I was confident but ended up coming unstuck. It is a tough one. I am so disappointed to come away with no results but it is good learning I guess.”
It wasn’t just Norrie who went out in the first round on day two as Harriet Dart was also eliminated in a valiant straight sets defeat to Australian Open quarter-finalist Linda Noskova.
Dart was a break up in the second set but ultimately fell to a straight sets defeat, becoming the fourth Brit to lose a first round match in singles at Roland Garros.
“The better players you play against, the more you have to take opportunities,” Dart told The Daily Mail.
“I created a lot of opportunities Tuesday but did not capitalise or take them.”
Both Norrie and Dart head to the grass court season with a desperate need of results and confidence.
How to Watch/Follow Roland Garros 2024
| Live Stream | 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 |
| Live Scores | Tennis Scores Powered By TNNSLIVE |
 Sign up to PBLC for free to support ongoing contributions from Britwatch Sports |
| Follow Britwatch - Sport in General, Brits in Particular! | |
|---|---|
| Soundcloud | |
| YouTube | |
| We may receive compensation for products purchased via affiliate links on this website | |