Cameron Norrie wins Lyon Open for fourth career title

ATP Tour
Cameron Norrie celebrates

Britain’s Cameron Norrie beat Slovakian Alex Molcan 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-1 in the Lyon Open final to snatch his second title of 2022.

Norrie produced a well-rounded performance against Molcan to ensure he avoided a repeat of his 2021 Lyon Open final loss.

The Lyon Open win is Norrie’s first outside of North America and maiden title on clay.

The Johannesburg-born World No 11 sealed victory on his third match point.

Norrie let slip two match points on Molcan’s serve in the second set but he held off an attacking bombardment from the 24-year-old to eventually triumph in the decider after two hours and 31 minutes.

“It is my first title on the clay so it means a lot to me,” Norrie said in his on-court interview.

“I can’t be happier with how I handled everything this week. This one feels the best so far. I don’t know why, it is just so special and I couldn’t be happier and am really speechless right now. It was an incredible atmosphere. Thanks to everyone for coming out.

“I had chances to close the matches in straight sets this week and get it done easier than usual and it didn’t go that way and I was able to let that go and respond. In the third set I moved really well and it is nice to get over the line.”

On his path to the final the Briton overcame Francisco Cerundolo, Sebastian Baez and Holger Rune and becomes the fifth player to win multiple tour-level titles in 2022, joining Carlos Alcaraz (4), Rafael Nadal (3), Andrey Rublev (3) and Reilly Opelka (2).

Norrie lifted the trophy in Delray Beach in February for his third career title and has enjoyed a solid start to 2022.

The top-ranked British man made a fast start on Court Central.

He caused problems for Molcan with his inch-perfect groundstrokes, with the Slovakian taking time to settle into the match.

Norrie seized a double break lead early, and while Molcan recovered one, he was unable to hit through Norrie in the first set.

Breaks were then exchanged at the start of the second set, before Norrie conjured up two match points on Molcan’s serve at 4-5.

Molcan held on and his big-serving helped him take the tiebreak to level the match.

Norrie started the third set with great urgency and played the more consistent game, sending Molcan from side to side and dominating the decisive record the win.

Cameron Norrie

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