French Open 2023: Cameron Norrie might play Carlos Alcaraz after taking on Lorenzo Musetti

Posted : 02 June 2023

Cameron Norrie of Britain said he is not deterred by the potential of facing top seed Carlos Alcaraz as he attempts to advance to the fourth round of the French Open for the first time.

In the third round, Norrie, the 14th seed, will have a difficult assignment ahead of him against Lorenzo Musetti of Italy, the 17th seed.

The winners of Denis Shapovalov of Canada, the 26th seed, and Spain's Carlos Alcaraz will face each other in the round of 16.

"I saw it's Alcaraz but I'm focused on taking it match by match," said Norrie.

The top-ranked British man Norrie has advanced to the third round of the Roland Garros tournament for the third year in a row after defeating French players Benoit Paire and Lucas Pouille back-to-back.

After losses to the Spanish great Rafael Nadal in 2021 and the Russian 21st seed Karen Khachanov last year, Norrie has yet to go past this level on the Paris clay.

When they face off third on Court Simonne Mathieu, Musetti will give the 27-year-old Briton another difficult test.

The 21-year-old has had a successful clay court run in Europe, winning 10 of his 14 wins and making it all the way to the semifinals in Barcelona.

Following back-to-back victories against French players Benoit Paire and Lucas Pouille, British men's number one Norrie has advanced to the third round at Roland Garros for the third consecutive year.

After losing to the great Rafael Nadal of Spain in 2021 and the 21st-seeded Karen Khachanov of Russia the previous year, Norrie has yet to go past this level on the Paris clay.

Third on Court Simonne Mathieu, Musetti will present the 27-year-old Briton with another difficult challenge.

With 10 victories out of 14 matches and a semifinal appearance in Barcelona, the 21-year-old has had a successful clay court swing in Europe.

"It's a tough match-up because I'd say his favourite surface is clay," added Norrie, whose best Grand Slam run came when he reached the Wimbledon semi-finals last year.

"He's a great player, really talented and obviously I lost to him last time.

"I lost a bit of concentration and a bit of focus, and my level dropped a lot, but I was able to figure out ways to win points.

"It will be difficult and I'll have to come out with the energy I did against Pouille to have a chance."

French Open 2023: Cameron Norrie might play Carlos Alcaraz after taking on Lorenzo Musetti

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