Paris boost as Norrie wins first clay-court title
CAMERON NORRIE geared up for the French Open in ideal fashion by winning his first clay-court title at the Lyon Open.
Top seed Norrie claimed his fourth ATP Tour title by beating Slovakia’s Alex Molcan in three sets.
The Briton, who lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in last year’s final, bounced back from squandering two match points in the second set before losing it on a tie-break to triumph 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1 in two hours and 31 minutes.
And he was delighted to have ended his wait for a first title on clay.
Speaking in his on-court interview, he said: “It is my first title on the clay, so it means a lot to me.
“I couldn’t be happier with how I handled everything this week. This one feels the best so far. I don’t know why, it’s just so special and I couldn’t be happier and I’m really speechless right now.
“It was an incredible atmosphere. Thanks to everyone for coming out.”
Norrie, who has risen to world No.11, reached his 10th ATP final by defeating Danish teenager Holger Rune in the last four.
And this was a second title of the season after victory in Delray Beach.
He said: “I had chances to close the matches in straight sets this week and get it done easier than usual and it didn’t go that way and I was able to let that go and respond.
“In the third set, I moved really well and it’s nice to get over the line.”
Norrie, who is seeded 10th for the French Open, takes on French wildcard Manuel Guinard in the first round at Roland Garros.
Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, is expecting a tough challenge to defend his title.
Djokovic, who beat 13-time champion Rafael Nadal on his way to victory last year, is in the same half of the draw as the Spaniard and could meet him in a blockbuster quarterfinal.
Also lurking in a lop-sided draw is teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz and world No.3 Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic said: “Yeah, I had a look at the draw. I think every player always looks at the entire draw and studies it in a way.
“You can only focus on your next challenge and match. And, of course, it’s a very tough top half of the men’s draw, but there is something that you can’t really affect. It is what it is.”
The Serbian, who begins his title defence against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan, sees Nadal and his fellow Spaniard Alcaraz as the main threats to his bid for a record-equalling 21st Grand Slam crown.
“We talk about favourites for Roland Garros and clay, you know that Nadal always has to be right at the top, because of his records particularly in this tournament,” added Djokovic, competing in a Grand Slam for the first time since his exile from the Australian Open.
“And then you have Alcaraz, he obviously is the story of men’s tennis in the last four or five months with a big reason.
“He’s had some tremendous leaps forward on rankings and the results that he’s been achieving are phenomenal for someone of his age. He has made a quantum jump really forward in the last five, six months.
“So I feel I am always in that contention to fight for any Grand Slam trophy. I believe in my own abilities to get far and to fight for one of the most prestigious trophies in the world of tennis.
“As a defending champion of course more so, to believe I can do it again. Reliving the memories from last year is something that obviously gives me goose bumps and motivation to try to replicate that, if I can say that.
“But, I mean, obviously every season and every year is different. There is so many players that want to put their hands on that trophy in a few weeks’ time. I’m very much aware of it.”
In the bottom half of the draw, Russian world No.2 Daniil Medvedev faces against Facundo Bagnis of Argentina in the first round.
I couldn’t be happier with how I handled everything this week. This one feels the best