By Tony Fairbairn
- Cameron Norrie [16] def Yu Hsiou Hsu [Q] 7-5 6-4 6-4
- Norrie v Matteo Arnaldi | H2H: First Meeting
NEW YORK, USA – Cameron Norrie overcame a tricky start to defeat qualifier Yu Hsiou Hsu and will now face Matteo Arnaldi in the third round of the US Open.
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Cameron Norrie [16] def Yu Hsiou Hsu [Q] 7-5 6-4 6-4
Cameron Norrie is into the third round of the US Open after overcoming a shaky start to defeat qualifier Yu Hsiou Hsu in straight sets. Both players set a rapid pace to start the match with Norrie taking advantage of Hsu’s early nerves as the Brit created a break point in the opening game. However Hsu produced some effective point construction as he saved break point and more than held his own in the opening stages.
Initially Norrie began the match on serve where he left off in his opening round match as he didn’t lose a point in his opening two service games. That didn’t last though as in the sixth game, Hsu played some incredible tennis on return and created five break points. Despite some shaky forehands and some lucky shots, Norrie saved all the break points as he levelled the set at 3-3.
The British number one would face more pressure in the tenth game as Hsu played with freedom and accuracy as he had three set points to take a shock one set lead over Norrie. Just like all good players, Norrie found a way as he produced some resilient defence to save the set points and hold before breaking in the eleventh game to take a 6-5 lead. There was no nerves from the world number 16 as he held to love to take the opening set 7-5.
There was stopping Norrie from that point as he raised the level of his play accelerating the pace of his backhands and putting severe pressure on Hsu. That reflected on the scoreboard as Norrie broke on all three of his opening return games as he took a 4-1 lead. A good response from Hsu put Norrie under pressure as the Brit failed to close out the set the first time around as some smart returning saw Hsu gain one of the breaks back. However Norrie remained calm and eventually sealed a two set lead with a controlled performance.
The third set started equally as controlled as Norrie remained clinical and aggressive as he broke in the opening game. That control didn’t last long though as Hsu took advantage of a lapse of concentration from Norrie to break back in the fourth game as he levelled the set at 2-2. Hsu’s level of confidence was regained and he went back to playing consistent tennis from the baseline playing well above his ranking of 237 in the world.
In the end, Norrie’s quality proved too much as he sealed his sixth break of the match in the seventh game and closed out the match comfortably to seal a place in the third round.
Cameron Norrie [16] v Matteo Arnaldi | H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [12] v Matteo Arnaldi | H2H: First Meeting |
| US Open 2023 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $191,000 |
| Second on Court 17 (17:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV Subscription Required |
Next for Norrie will be Italian Matteo Arnaldi who is into the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023 – Grass)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 16) | Matteo Arnaldi (WR 61) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R4 (2022) | N/A |
| 1st Serve % | 64.9 | 59.2 |
| Service Games Won % | 80 | 79.1 |
| Break Points Saved % | 63.9 | 65.9 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 52.4 | 50.4 |
| Break Points Converted % | 41.1 | 38.7 |
Norrie will need to be wary of Arnaldi’s effective serving numbers on break points as the Brit looks to continue the efficient returning that he has produced at the US Open so far.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Arnaldi has been in good form on the Challenger circuit but hasn’t been able to translate that form on the main tour which makes his run to the third round at the US Open even more impressive. Now the Italian will look to make the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career by continuing to play resilient baseline tennis.
Norrie will look to use the angles as he aims to keep playing aggressive and proactive tennis with the Brit’s variety being the key to the match. Meanwhile Arnaldi looks to extend the rallies as much as possible, using depth to create unforced errors from the 16th seed. This will be a good test of Norrie’s ability to be patient but the Brit should be too strong for the Italian even if it goes to four sets.
Prediction: Norrie in four sets.
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