Cameron Norrie is assured he is playing some of the best tennis of his profession after breezing into the quarter-finals at Indian Wells with a 6-4 6-2 win over Australia’s Rinky Hijikata.
Norrie, who received this event in 2021, broke the Australian in the first recreation of the match and continued to carry management, providing up just one break level – which Hijikata couldn’t take – in the total contest whereas snapping up three of the six he had himself.
The win places Norrie into the final eight at Indian Wells for the first time since 2023, the place he will now face world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Casper Ruud 6-1 7-6.
After overcoming harm in 2024 and making changes to his recreation, Norrie stated he has discovered an excellent steadiness, feeling bodily robust whereas having extra expertise at the prime degree.
“This week I’ve felt I’ve played some of the best tennis of my life, but let’s just keep enjoying it, keep going,” Norrie stated.
“It’s good to get the wins like that however extra importantly I’m having a lot enjoyable on the courtroom.
“It was a match the place clearly I used to be the favorite on paper and I simply felt actually assured all week.
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Norrie says he is feeling actually assured after a powerful victory over Hijikata to achieve the quarter-finals of Indian Wells
“I’ve been moving well, the ball has been feeling so good off the racket and I’m relaxed before the match so I can actually enjoy the match.
“It was a match the place the stress was a bit on me however I’ve been playing so properly I simply wished to maintain having fun with it and making it powerful.
“[Hijikata] served really well midway through the first set to the middle of the second set but I was giving him nothing on my first serve and kept taking confidence away from him. Then I managed to sneak in an extra break at the end which helped.”
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Highlights of the Indian Wells match between Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud.
As for Alcaraz, he relied on a near-flawless service recreation to beat Norway’s Ruud in straight units and says he’s “staying positive” to take care of a “high intensity” in each match.
After Alcaraz raced trough the opening set in simply 37 minutes, Ruud raised his degree to power a tie-break however was unable to get the higher of the Spaniard, who’s “looking forward” to going through Norrie.
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Norrie beat Carlos Alcaraz in the second spherical of the Paris Masters and can face the world No 1 once more in the quarter-finals of Indian Wells
“He’s always a tough player to play against. We had great battles and matches. In the last one he beat me,” he informed Sky Sports Tennis.
“He loves this tournament, so I have to be ready and prepared.”
Watch the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells reside on Sky Sports till March 15. Stream tennis with NOW, contract-free.
