Norrie makes happy return on grass as Peniston springs another Queen’s shock
In his first match on a British grass court since his breakout run to the Wimbledon semi-finals last year, Cameron Norrie returned with a victory as he moved past Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4, 7-6 (5) at Queen’s Club.
Norrie arrived at this tournament after a difficult clay court season that started with high hopes but ended with a string of frustrating defeats, including a third-round French Open exit at the hands of Lorenzo Musetti. After that match, Norrie had expressed frustration at his flat attitude, with the mental side of the game usually one of his biggest strengths.
“Obviously I’m just trying to put that behind me,” Norrie said after beating Kecmanovic. “I was hitting the ball so well, even the first days on the grass, and I think it was just good memories from last year ending Wimbledon.
“I don’t see why I couldn’t go deep in these tournaments. I just need to keep my head down and keep playing well. I think it just shows if I’m not bringing that same energy point in, point out, I don’t really stand a chance with these guys.”
During his time in west London, Norrie will compete alongside Andy Murray in doubles for the first time. It was Norrie who asked Murray, once one of his idols, about playing together and he quickly received positive feedback.
“It’ll be great to spend the week with him, picking his brains especially around the grass,” Norrie said. “He’s obviously had an unbelievable couple of weeks in the Challengers, winning those two [tournaments in Surbiton and Nottingham] which is great to see. I think he’s really trying to make a push for Wimbledon.
“He’s obviously got enough matches under the belt so it’s going to be interesting to see that and I’m looking forward to practising with him a little bit this week and spending the time on the doubles court.”
Earlier on Monday, the British wildcard Ryan Peniston returned to the scene of his breakout tournament last year with another victory, defeating France’s world No 37 Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-2 to reach the second round.
Peniston, who reached the Queen’s Club quarter-finals last year while ranked No 180 after defeating Casper Ruud, lamented his bad luck in the months following his breakout summer after he sustained a wrist injury that affected him for much of 2022.
“I played a lot of matches on the grass and it was heavy conditions.
Just, yeah, human body breaks down sometimes,” said Peniston, who is now ranked No 265 in the world. “So I was out for six, seven weeks like not doing anything, and then the wrist injury lasted for about 17 weeks total. Definitely low points, not being able to play the sport I love, it was tough. But I learned a lot during that time.”
Meanwhile, the British No 2, Dan Evans continued to struggle with his form as he was defeated 6-4, 7-5 in the first round by world No 32 Sebastian Korda.