By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie [7] def Benoit Paire 6-0 7-6(1) 6-0
- Norrie v Joao Sousa | H2H: Norrie leads 2-0
NEW YORK, USA – Cameron Norrie thrashed Benoit Paire to reach the second round at the US Open where he will face Joao Sousa.
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Cameron Norrie [7] def Benoit Paire 6-0 7-6(1) 6-0
Cameron Norrie cruised past an uninspired Benoit Paire in straight sets to move into the second round at the US Open. The Brit was zoned-in from the first ball as he produced deep returns that were too strong for the erratic Frenchman. Paire played the opening set like he didn’t want to be there as his lazy serves saw him concede cheap points.
Meanwhile Norrie stayed professional throughout the opening set, winning all the key points on return as he continued to be clinical on break points. In an 18 minute set, Norrie won all six games as he continued his confident form from Cincinnati. At this point some of the crowd started to leave in what was a blistering hot day as they sensed the inevitable was about to happen.
However nothing is inevitable or predictable when it comes to Paire’s tennis and the Frenchman seemed more engaged in the second set as he served more accurately and put Norrie under more pressure in the second set. Midway through the set both players had to regain their composure after a member of the crowd fainted and had to receive medical attention. Both players would resume play by saving break points as the second set was reaching a significant moment.
It was Paire though who broke first in the set in the eighth game as he produced some high-quality patterns of play, leading to some errors from the Brit. In typical Paire fashion he couldn’t serve the second set out as he made some poor unforced errors with Norrie continuing his consistent level of play to seal the break back.
In the end the second set went to a tiebreak which saw Norrie win seven points in a row with Paire committing some awful decisions. The Brit then stormed through the third set in 19 minutes as Paire essentially gave up on the match and his US Open campaign as Norrie reached the second round with ease.
Cameron Norrie [7] v Joao Sousa H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [7] v Joao Sousa | H2H: Norrie leads 2-0 |
| US Open 2022 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $121,000 |
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Norrie will take on Joao Sousa with the Brit winning both of their previous meetings heading into this match.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 9) | Joao Sousa (WR 59) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R3 (2020) | R4 (2018) |
| 1st Serve % | 65.9 | 60.5 |
| Service Games Won % | 81.7 | 76.7 |
| Break Points Saved % | 64.2 | 59 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 55.9 | 50.6 |
| Break Points Converted % | 47 | 39.1 |
Norrie’s efficiency on break points is the key difference heading into this match with Sousa needing to improve his return stats to have a chance.
Playing Styles and Prediction
Sousa has had a poor season with the Portuguese star not winning back-to-back matches since reaching the semi-finals in Geneva. Sousa’s baseline solidity mixed with smart returning can see him frustrate opponents at times but will need to be a lot more consistent if he is to go far in New York.
Norrie will look to remain consistent and zoned in heading into this match with the Brit being able to play a little bit more on the attack than he did against Paire. Sousa will need to take risks if he is to break down the Brit’s game and that will eventually produce errors especially in a best of five set format. This will be a good test to see where Norrie’s baseline game at but this should be a comfortable win for the seventh seed.
Prediction: Norrie in straight sets.
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