Norrie’s luck improves to open way to second week

“It’s nice not to face Rafa,” said Cameron Norrie, the British No1, whose luck at the grand slams has been particularly cruel of late.

The comment was a reflection on Norrie’s next opponent in Paris. Karen Khachanov, the 21st seed, is a fine player, but not as much of a legend as the men he is used to facing at this stage.

Last season, the admirably consistent Norrie reached the third round of three of the four slams. He was rewarded with two matches against Nadal and one – at Wimbledon no less – against Roger Federer. Despite his best efforts, he came away with a combined tally of just a single set.

Had Norrie walked under a ladder, or crossed the path of a black cat? The cosmos seemed determined to keep him from one of his stated goals for 2021: a run to the second week of a major.

Australia in January was another disappointment, but Norrie cruised past qualifier Jason Kubler 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 yesterday at Roland Garros in straight sets to set up the thirdround meeting with Khachanov.

This looks promising, because he has beaten Khachanov three times in their five previous encounters, including two out of two on clay.

“I’ll take that every day of the week, being in this position and being the higher seed,” said Norrie. “At the end of the day you have to deal with both situations.

“It’s always nice going into the match being the underdog,” he admitted. “If you lose, it’s all right. But for the most part, in the last couple years I have done well being the favourite. It’s a different kind of pressure.

“I’m exactly where I want to be,” added the 26-year-old Norrie, who has yet to drop a set after overwhelming French qualifier Manuel Guinard 7-5, 6-2, 6-0 in the first round.