NORRIE FIGHTS FOR FINAL SHOT
Cam relief as Turin dream is kept alive
CAMERON NORRIE boosted his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals with victory over Reilly Opelka in the second round of the Paris Masters.
The British No.1 recovered from 3-1 down in the second set to overcome his big-serving opponent 6-3 6-4 in 73 minutes and faces another American, Taylor Fritz, in the last 16 today.
Norrie’s win yesterday was his 50th on the Tour this year and the 101st of his career.
The 26-year-old said: “Reilly’s a great player and he’s really tough to play against.
“He can play really aggressive at times, can lock it down and make a lot of balls and then obviously with his serve it’s difficult.
“However, I managed to put some returns in at the right times and chip on my forehand side. I was just happy to get through it at the end.”
Norrie is 11th in the race to qualify for the eight-man, seasonending tournament in Turin and his hopes were boosted when one of his rivals for the two remaining spots, Italy’s Jannik Sinner, was beaten 7-6, 7-5 by Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Norway’s Casper Ruud, who will reach Turin if he makes the final in Paris, and Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, who will qualify by winning the title this week, are through to the last 16 in France.
The last qualifying event is next week’s Stockholm Open, and world No.13 Norrie said: “I’m watching all the matches and I think everyone else is as well. It’s cool to have something extra to play for.” Norrie holds a 4-3 career record against Fritz, the world No.26, and the winner today could face Novak Djokovic in the last eight.
“I’ve played him (Fritz) a lot in my career, I think the most of anyone, so we both know each other’s games very well,” said Norrie.
“He’s extremely confident, had a final last week in St Petersburg and has beaten two good opponents this week. When he’s confident he’s very dangerous so I’ll have to watch out for him.”