By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie [7] def Joao Sousa 6-4 6-4 7-6(4)
- Norrie v Holger Rune [28] | H2H: Norrie leads 2-0
NEW YORK, USA – Cameron Norrie ousted Joao Sousa in a tough straight sets victory to set up a Cincinnati rematch with Holger Rune at the US Open.
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Cameron Norrie [7] def Joao Sousa 6-4 6-4 7-6(4)
Cameron Norrie held his nerve to oust out Joao Sousa in straight sets to reach the third round at the US Open. Despite the win, Norrie had to work hard for the victory with Sousa remaining aggressive throughout the two hour and 25 minute contest. There is an argument to say that Sousa was the better player in the match as he found a good range of depth and pace on his shots to cause the Brit problems.
Norrie played an aggressive second return game to find the first break of the match and a 2-1 lead which was then cancelled out by Sousa’s resolve in the next game as he levelled the opening set at 2-2. Both players served effectively throughout the opening set with precision being implemented at both ends of the court.
Sousa once again tested the Brit’s serve with some aggressive points as he had a break point for a 5-3 lead. However a theme of this match would be that Norrie played the better tennis on the bigger points and that was the case in the opening set as he would hold for 4-4. Then Norrie would improve his return game as he produced higher quality shots consistently to break for a 5-4 lead. Despite Sousa getting to 0-30, Norrie produced some big serves as he took the opening set in 39 minutes.
The seventh seed continued his high level of returning at the start of the second set as he created three break points in his first two return games. Although Sousa did well to hold in the opening game, the world number 59 couldn’t prevent the inevitable break in the third game as Norrie took a 2-1 lead.
Some aggressive play from Sousa meant he kept putting the pressure on the Brit but Norrie kept serving big and playing the better tennis on the bigger points. As frustration settled in for Sousa as he failed to convert the three break points he created, Norrie’s confidence increased and the Brit’s bold play was rewarded as he held on for a two set lead.
After a medical time out, Sousa came out and started strongly before Norrie tried to dictate play on return. The Portuguese star saved two break points in the middle of the set before once again frustrations boiled over at not taking his opportunities. As the tiebreak approached, Sousa had set point to claim the third set but a big set from the Brit saw off the pressure.
Eventually in the tiebreak, Norrie’s world-class defensive skills saw him force crucial errors from Sousa as he sealed a place in the last 32 in New York for the second time in three years.
Cameron Norrie [7] v Holger Rune [28] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [7] v Holger Rune [28] | H2H: Norrie leads 2-0 |
| US Open 2022 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $188,000 |
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Next for Norrie is talented young Dane Holger Rune in what is a rematch from their Cincinnati clash, which Norrie won in three tight sets.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 9) | Holger Rune (WR 33) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R3 (2020) | R1 (2021) |
| 1st Serve % | 66 | 62.4 |
| Service Games Won % | 81.2 | 78.4 |
| Break Points Saved % | 63.3 | 62.4 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 53.5 | 49.3 |
| Break Points Converted % | 43.9 | 40 |
Norrie’s improvement on serve is evident but as he found out in Cincinnati, he must be aware of Rune’s efficiency on return.
Playing Styles and Prediction
After reaching the Roland Garros quarter-finals earlier inn the year, Rune would have been disappointed with his season since then having only won three matches since the Grand Slam breakthrough. The Dane comes into this match fresh after John Isner’s withdrawal from their second round match and now looks to be more clinical then he was in Cincinnati.
Norrie will need to make a better start then he did against Sousa as he will look to serve well from the start and use the backhand to increase the tempo of the rallies. Rune will need to be aggressive and be clever with how he attacks Norrie, given the Brit’s intelligent defence. It should be a physically brutal match, which should favour Norrie and give him the edge in this contes.
Prediction: Norrie in four sets.
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