Cameron Norrie wins epic against Thiago Monteiro to make quarter-finals at ATP event in Rio de Janeiro

ByEurosport

Published 23/02/2023 at 08:53 GMT

Cameron Norrie will play Hugo Dellien in the quarter-finals of the Rio Open after he beat world No. 83 Thiago Monteiro in a two-and-a-half-hour epic at the Jockey Club Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro. There were eight breaks of serve in a hard-fought match that Norrie won on his sixth match point. The win moves Norrie to a record of 5-1 on South American clay this season.

Cameron Norrie beat Brazil's Thiago Monteiro 7-5 7-5 in a hard-fought match at the Jockey Club Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro to progress to the quarter-finals of the Rio Open.

He will play Hugo Dellien in the last eight of the ATP 500 event in Brazil.

Norrie had opportunities to serve it out at 5-4 in both sets, but Monteiro rallied, only to go on to lose in straight sets.

ATP Madrid

Rublev stuns Alcaraz in huge Madrid Open upset after thrilling fightback, Fritz progresses

an hour ago

The 28-year-old defended three match points in the 10th game of the second set, but ultimately Norrie’s class paid dividends and he sealed the win on his sixth match point.

Norrie had lost their only previous meeting – on the hard courts in Auckland – but broke in the first game of the match. However, if the Brit thought that would mark the beginning of a rudimentary win, he was sorely mistaken.

A further four breaks followed in the first set and another three in the second as Norrie eventually progressed in a two-and-a-half hour epic.

The victory sees the Brit become the first ATP player this season to record 15 wins.

Cameron Norrie of Great Britain returns a shot to Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina during day two of ATP 500 Rio Open presented by Claro at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 21, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Image credit: Getty Images

"It was a great match," Norrie said in his post-match interview.

"I had a lot of opportunities in that first set and I could have been a lot more comfortable, but he fought back strong and played really well in the bigger moments and served really well. Credit to him, but I was able to tough out the end of the sets.

"I was really hitting my backhand line really well and it made it difficult for him when he was trying to cheat over on his forehand."

• Swiatek into Dubai semis after win and withdrawal, Sabalenka beats Ostapenko
• Marathon man Murray beats Zverev in epic to reach Qatar quarter-finals

The win moves Norrie to a record of 5-1 on clay after his run to the final in Buenos Aires last week - where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.

World No. 111 Dellien is up next for Norrie after he beat ninth seed Alex Molcan 1-6 6-2 6-2.

- - -

The 2023 Australian Open was live and the French Open will follow on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

ATP Madrid

'I kept fighting' - Alcaraz survives Struff scare to make quarter-finals, Sinner progresses

Yesterday at 20:11

ATP Madrid

Alcaraz braced for 'difficult' Struff rematch after reaching last 16 in Madrid

29/04/2024 at 07:36

ATP Madrid

Alcaraz cruises past Shevchenko despite ‘not feeling comfortable’ on return from injury

26/04/2024 at 20:23