Cameron Norrie produced one of many greatest upsets on the ATP Tour this 12 months by beating Alex de Minaur on Monday.
Norrie, the world quantity 27, beat De Minaur 6-4, 6-4 in Indian Wells and now has an enormous alternative to achieve the quarter-finals.
The British quantity two, who received the Californian title in 2021, will play world quantity 117 Rinky Hijikata in spherical 4. Hijikata, from Australia, brought on one other upset by beating Alexander Bublik in spherical three.
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Norrie was notably clutch down the stretch towards De Minaur. After surrendering one alternative to serve for the match, the stress was on the British star’s shoulders heading into the ultimate sport at 5-4.
However, Norrie maintained his composure to see out the competition, and British participant Liam Broady was left surprised by the way in which during which Norrie did so.
Liam Broady was surprised by Cameron Norrie’s volleying towards Alex de Minaur
Norrie, who’s famend for being extra of a counter-puncher, produced some glorious attacking tennis to beat De Minaur on Monday.
The 30-year-old was in scintillating kind when approaching the web, profitable 17 of his 19 web factors.
This specific aspect of his efficiency was recognized by Jonathan Overend and Liam Broady, who have been each fast to bathe Norrie with reward after the match.
Overend started the dialogue by praising Norrie’s composure when closing out the match. The British star, who might take the British primary spot from Jack Draper this week, produced two excellent volleys in his remaining service sport to shut out the match.
“We were on the edge of our seats, weren’t we, Liam?” Overend mentioned during Sky Sports’ reside protection. “What a terrific all-round performance but particularly the finish under pressure.
“He’s just dropped his serve the first time he served for the match to keep it together and then play two of his best points right the end.”
Liam Broady, the previous world 93, continued to sing Norrie’s praises, once more specializing in Norrie’s web play.
“So good, yeah” he mentioned. “And I think we pointed out a second ago as well: for Cam to have gone 17 out of 19 points, that the net is an incredible stat for anyone on tour, let alone Cam Norrie, who’s renowned really for being an aggressive counter-puncher.
Cameron Norrie’s Indian Wells path…
- Fourth Round: Rinky Hijikata
- Quarter-finals: Carlos Alcaraz / Casper Ruud
- Semi-finals: Novak Djokovic / Jack Draper / Daniil Medvedev / Alex Michelsen
- Final: Jannik Sinner / Alexander Zverev
“And when it came down to it, right at the death of the match, he’s closed out with two fantastic backhand volleys that were reminiscent of Roger Federer in his prime almost.”
Overend continued: “And the approach shots as well were really accurate. It was almost like the way De Minaur would play that point. He was on the other side of the net.
“I mean, that was a dismantling of one of the best players in the world. And Cam Norrie is certainly a player who now has a number of big-name scalps on his CV.
“Considering where he was last year, Liam, in the clay court season, down just outside 90 in the world, to get back to this level, what an effort.”
Broady concluded the dialogue by expressing his shock concerning Norrie’s stage of play at the web.
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He mentioned: “Yeah, it’s incredible. And he’s made Alex de Minaur look, you know, distinctly average today. Of course, de Minaur came out with some fantastic tennis, but Cam really looks like he’s trying his hardest to be more aggressive out there. There’s times perhaps in the past where he’s waited for opponents to miss.
“He’s looking to get up there at every opportunity and volleying surprisingly well. I didn’t know Cam volleyed as well as he does and I’m sure he’ll be pleased with that performance today, dominating with the forehand, backhand through the court and getting up to the net.”
How can Cameron Norrie turn into British primary?
Before the event started, Cameron Norrie was sat above Jack Draper within the ATP reside rankings – as Draper had but to defend any of his 1000 Indian Wells factors.
If Norrie is to complete the event ranked increased than Draper, he should go one spherical additional than his compatriot.
There is each probability that Norrie might accomplish that. While Norrie faces a participant ranked exterior of the highest 100 within the fourth spherical, Draper faces five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic.
Of course, if each Draper and Norrie advance to the quarter-finals, Norrie could be unlikely to take the British primary spot from Draper. After all, Norrie would likely play Carlos Alcaraz within the final eight.
However, Norrie will surely have greater than a puncher’s probability if he have been to play Alcaraz. The British star has a 3-5 file towards the Spaniard and beat him in their last match at the 2025 Paris Masters.
