By Tony Fairbairn at Wimbledon
- Cameron Norrie [12] def Tomas Machac [Q] 6-3 4-6 6-1 6-4
- Norrie v Christopher Eubanks | H2H: First Meeting
LONDON, ENGLAND – Cameron Norrie is into the second round at Wimbledon after defeating Tomas Machac in four sets and will now face Mallorca champion Christopher Eubanks.
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Cameron Norrie [12] def Tomas Machac [Q] 6-3 4-6 6-1 6-4
Cameron Norrie is into the second round at Wimbledon after a four set win over qualifier Tomas Machac. Last year’s semi-finalist was eager to start his campaign this year with a confident display but didn’t have it all his own way against an aggressive Machac, who tested Norrie’s serve in the fourth game.
However the Brit came through that opening test and would break to love in the next game after some high-quality returning. Norrie successfully managed to put Machac on the back foot for the majority of the opening set with Machac being unable to fully implement his game-plan. Norrie would break again in the ninth game to take the opening set 6-3 in 34 minutes as he maintained his level throughout the set.
In the second set, Norrie showed signs of what we had seen this season in terms of his inability to remain consistent. The Brit’s level dropped and that allowed Machac to increase his intensity and go for his shots more, producing high-margin shots and therefore taking advantage of Norrie’s passive play.
Although Norrie broke in the sixth game, Machac was too clinical for the Brit as he broke on two occasions as the 12th seed was making more unforced errors. Norrie improved his serve to save two set points in the ninth game but in the end that didn’t matter anyway as Machac converted his fourth set point to close out the second set.
It’s not about how many times you fall down, it’s about how many times you get up and Norrie recovered well in the third set as he significantly cut his unforced error count down and dominated the third set. The Brit broke in the second and sixth game as Machac never really looked like threatening Norrie’s serve in the third set. A hold to love sealed the third set and a two set to one lead.
The fourth set saw both players produce sloppy moments of tennis as Norrie was forced to use all of his energy to scrap from the baseline and win a war of attrition. After going down an early break, Norrie managed to break straight away and was forced to save a few break points in the eighth game as Machac managed to produce consistently attacking tennis.
That was the crucial part of the match as Norrie broke in the next game and secured the victory in a hard-fought victory with better tennis to come from last year’s semi-finalist. After the match Norrie admitted that there is a lot to learn heading into the rest of the tournament.
“Yeah, it was a lot of fun coming out to that court, so special, a lot of good memories there,” Norrie said in his press conference.
“It was really fun to come out and see the audience and just good sensations. I played, I reckon, a really good match with some normal drops in there but a lot to learn from and take from that match. But good day and nice to get the win.”
Cameron Norrie [12] v Christopher Eubanks | H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [12] v Christopher Eubanks | H2H: First Meeting |
| Wimbledon 2023 | London, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: £85,000 |
| Second on No.1 Court (14:30 BST) | BBC Sport |
Next for Norrie is rising American Christopher Eubanks who is in good form having won the Mallorca title in the build-up to Wimbledon.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023 – Grass)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 13) | Christopher Eubanks (WR 43) |
| Tournament Previous Best | Semi-Final (2022) | N/A |
| 1st Serve % | 64.3 | 72.1 |
| Service Games Won % | 85.2 | 93.2 |
| Break Points Saved % | 73.3 | 77.3 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 50 | 43 |
| Break Points Converted % | 37.8 | 37 |
Norrie will need to be clinical on return when he has his opportunities as he is up against Eubanks’ efficient serving.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Eubanks is having a great season and the American has translated his big-serving game onto grass having won the title in Mallorca in the build-up to Wimbledon. Now into the top 50 in the world for the first time, Eubanks will look to continue the momentum and break even more ground at SW19.
Norrie will look to be aggressive on return and will need to keep Eubanks guessing throughout the match. Meanwhile the American will look to use his serve to dominate the tempo of the match and use his forehand to take Norrie’s attacking options away. This will be a tough match for Norrie but the best of five set format should suit him more and his experience will be vital here.
Prediction: Norrie in four sets.
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