Moselle Open: Norrie breaks slump, wins first match since July

Posted : 05 November 2024

Cameron Norrie from Britain marked a significant achievement by ending a three-match losing streak on the ATP Tour, defeating Roberto Carballes Baena in the opening round of the Moselle Open in Metz. The former Wimbledon semi-finalist has been working his way back from a forearm injury that sidelined him during the Olympic Games and the US Open. In a resilient display, Norrie came from behind after losing the first set to secure victory with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Norrie's win in Metz is particularly noteworthy as it is his first ATP Tour victory since July, having entered the tournament amidst a rough patch. He demonstrated his characteristic determination, rallying from a set down and overcoming multiple breaks of serve to emerge victorious, setting up a second-round match against third seed Grigor Dimitrov. His return from injury last month was promising, featuring a couple of wins on the Challenger circuit.

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However, following those victories, Norrie faced early exits at the Stockholm Open, Vienna Open, and Paris Masters before finally finding success in Metz. His struggles had seen him drop to 57th in the world rankings, a significant fall from his career-high of 8th just two years ago. During the first set, Norrie lost his serve in the sixth game, allowing Carballes Baena to take the early lead.

Despite being a break down in both the second and third sets, Norrie fought back effectively. After recovering in the final set, he went on to win several games consecutively, finishing the match in 2 hours and 17 minutes. “I was happy with the way I turned it around; it’s nice to get a win after my injury,” Norrie remarked after the match.

Norrie acknowledged the challenge posed by Carballes Baena, praising his opponent’s competitive spirit. “He fought really hard today, he’s a great competitor. I managed to get a little bit lucky in the third set, and I had some good support. It was nice to get over the line in the end,” he said.

In other news from the tournament, Richard Gasquet continued his farewell tour with a hard-fought three-set win over Thiago Monteiro. This match marked Gasquet’s final appearance in Metz, the venue where he reached his first ATP final. The French player is set to retire at Roland Garros next year and also had to stage a comeback after dropping the first set to set up a match against Alex Michelsen.

As the Moselle Open progresses, Norrie’s victory not only provides him with a much-needed boost in confidence but also sets the stage for an intriguing clash with Dimitrov in the next round. The tournament is proving to be a pivotal moment for players like Norrie and Gasquet as they navigate the challenges of the ATP Tour.

Moselle Open: Norrie breaks slump, wins first match since July

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