Monte Carlo Masters: Karen Khachanov downs 'tough competitor' Cameron Norrie to leave Jack Draper last Brit standing
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Updated 08/04/2024 at 19:17 GMT
Cameron Norrie suffered a tight 7-5 7-6(3) defeat to Karen Khachanov in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters. The Brit had the momentum on numerous occasions throughout the clash, but failed to take full advantage as he dropped serve five times across the course of the match. With Dan Evans having already exited the tournament, Jack Draper is the only remaining Brit in the singles.
Highlights: Norrie falls at first hurdle in Monte Carlo with Khachanov defeat
Cameron Norrie's hopes of a deep run at the Monte Carlo Masters are over after a straight-sets defeat to Karen Khachanov.
The Brit was not without his chances in a tight first-round match that lasted in excess of two-and-a-half hours, but was eventually beaten 7-5 7-6(3).
He was left particularly frustrated at failing to serve out the second set at 6-5, when the Russian raised his game as he went on a winning streak of 10 points out of 11.
That paved the way for a stunning tie-break from Khachanov, dropping only three points as he secured victory.
"I'm really happy and proud with the way I was handling the tough moments, the pressure moments," he said.
"It was a really tough match, especially for the first round. Cameron dropped a little bit [in] ranking, but he's always there. He's always a tough competitor."
A topsy-turvy opening set saw Norrie break serve in only the second game of the contest when Khachanov sent a backhand flying wide.
The advantage did not last long though, with parity restored in the very next game when the Brit fired a vicious forehand long.
Norrie continued to play with aggression, attacking points at the net often, but the Russian showed great resilience from the baseline to save two break points and ensure scores were level at 3-3.
He would then make his opponent pay for those missed opportunities when breaking to 15, giving him a chance to serve for the set, only to hand the advantage straight back to the Brit with an error-strewn game of his own.
That made it 5-5, but Norrie was broken for a third time in the set, again to 15 and not helped by three unforced errors, to hand Khachanov an advantage that he would this time make the most of, sealing the set 7-5 with an ace.
The second set threatened to go the same way when Norrie was immediately broken after a marathon game, only to level at 1-1 straight away.
Both players were clearly struggling with their first-serve percentage, but managed to hold without too much alarm over the next few games.
The fact the Brit was serving first piled the pressure on Khachanov as the set reached its conclusion though, and after holding for 4-3, Norrie earned two break points in the next game, taking the second after some fierce hitting off both wings.
He soon cast a frustrated figure though as some erratic hitting led to the Russian breaking straight back, with the game summed up by the closing point, a wild mid-court forehand that flew out.
Khachanov then held to love to level at 5-5, but Norrie composed himself to make it 6-5, and, thanks to some excellent use of the drop shot, he looked set to take the set when forcing two break points.
His opponent had other ideas though, cracking down four winners - including two aces - to send the set to a tie-break.
That gave the Russian the momentum, and he subsequently reeled off point after point en route to taking the tie-break 7-3, sealing the match with another ace and booking a second-round meeting with Francisco Cerundolo in the process.
Norrie's departure, meanwhile, leaves Jack Draper as the last Brit standing in Monte Carlo, following Dan Evans' defeat to Sebastian Ofner earlier on Monday.
Draper plays Estoril champion and 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz on Tuesday.
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