Cameron Norrie overcomes slow start to beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo to reach Rio Open second round
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Published 21/02/2023 at 22:10 GMT
British No. 1 Cameron Norrie got the better of Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo in straight sets after a nervy start to his opening match at the Rio Open. Norrie was a break down in the opening set, but won three consecutive games to steal the set and went on to dominate the rest of the match. The 27-year-old will play Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro in the last-16 on Wednesday.
Highlights: Alcaraz beats Norrie in straight sets to claim ATP Buenos Aires title
Cameron Norrie overcame a slow start to beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo 7-5 6-1 to reach the second round of the Rio Open.
Norrie, who lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Argentina Open final on Sunday, was far from his best but did enough to advance into the last-16.
He will play Thiago Monteiro on Wednesday, after the Brazilian beat Dominic Thiem 6-1 3-6 7-6(2).
“I started OK, I just played one loose game,” said Norrie. “Then I had chances on his serve and he actually served really well, played really well on the big points.
“I thought I was a bit unlucky to get broken but I was able to find my range, find my legs and used my backhand pretty effectively in the end.
"Last week I was against a couple of Argentines in Buenos Aires, so I think I'm ready for this challenge [against local hope Monteiro]. I will have to play well because he will be coming out with a lot of confidence."
Norrie started strongly but missed two break-point opportunities in the second game.
He was punished just minutes later as Cerundolo surprisingly got a break of his own after three poor forehands from Norrie.
Momentum was with Cerundolo as he saved a break point from Norrie in the eighth game and served for the set.
However, the British No. 1 began to pick up his game and broke his opponent to make it 5-5, before winning the next two games to steal the set in 53 minutes.
Norrie found himself in trouble immediately at the start of the second at 0-40 down on serve, but served his way out of trouble.
Cerundolo then began to struggle on serve, and Norrie took advantage to lead 3-1 as the momentum shifted once again.
He made it a double break after a long sixth game and served out the match with ease.
Later on Tuesday, top seed Alcaraz will be in first-round action against Mateus Alves. Should Alcaraz and Norrie win all their matches prior to Sunday, they will meet in the final once again.
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